Compact Discs

When compact discs came out, I have to admit that I was not "tuned in" to that technology, and it was several years before I started buying CDs rather than cassette tapes.  (I have to admit, I was not so slow about moving from VHS to DVDs.)  

Recently, I was trying to play some CDs. Not counting my two laptops, my portable CD player that requires headphones to hear, and an external CD/DVD player for my old TV, I had a small radio/CD player, a larger table model that included a double cassette player and recorder, and  the Crosley turntable unit, CD and cassette player. The cassette player never worked, but really I bought the turntable for the turntable.  I like being able to record to CDs, and did so for a while. But, that got old, especially because the quality was so poor.

So, a few weekends ago, I wanted to listen to some music. The small radio/CD player and the table model did not play CDs any more.  The Crosley had been playing CDs, but after the last time I used it, I could not get the drawer to open. Fortunately, I had been able to get the last CD I had played out before this problem became permanent (it had been happening intermittently for a while, and I was even able to "force" the drawer open for a while.) 

I ditched the small CD/radio because the radio never worked well.  I ditched the table top model because the radio never worked well, and the cassette players had long ceased working well.

Well, I went to a couple of stores to look for CD players, and no one had them in stock.  I guess I was not really surprised, because vinyl has become the big thing, and people are going back to vinyl.  So much so, that Best Buy announced this week that they will no longer be carrying CDs in stores.  

I like CDs because it is easy to pick the track you want, without risking scratching the platter. Not so with vinyl. 

Well, I went online, and did buy a table top CD player with AM/FM radio and cassette player and recorder. I am enjoying being able to listen to music again. 

But, I have a good collection of old vinyl, some 45s, and clay 78s. All of which I can play on my Crosley turntable. So, I am in good shape.