Does compressed audio really need to exist anymore(music)?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I personally like to convert my CD's to 320kbps MP3, simply to save space while quality is still very good. Plus the MP3 format is almost universal, so not having to worry about compatibility or playback issues from multiple devices.

I don't think "MP3" and "very good quality" belong in the same sentence, unless there is a negative in there!

To an extent I agree with your position, but only in the aspect that online distibutors should offer best quality for your money, whether it be lossless compression or no compression...then as the end user, you are free to do as you wish in regards to conversion and compression.

Yes, that would be a good idea. Some independent record labels do offer users this choice.

I am no audiophile and do not expect concert hall quality, so compression to me is not a huge factor.

But that's the rub, you see. Once sound quality is removed (by conversion to MP3 or other lossly format), it can never be replaced. So everyone suffers with the worst possible sound quality.

But the download quality question is academic to me, because like I said, I rip my CDs to uncompressed AIFF files anyway.