You can easily find the instructions for converting an iPod to flash memory, adding anywhere from 120GB to 2TB of memory, and then just start ripping cds from the local public library at 320kbps (though the iPod operating system has certain limits depending on the generation.) Add a new battery while you're at it and get 16 hours or more of play time before it needs recharging.
I bought a Sony Walkman digital player because I wanted more space than the iPod offered. I have about 85 Gb of music ripped from CDs that I own. Now I look at garage sales and thrift stores to see if they have any thing that I want and don’t already have. You can pickup CDs for anywhere between a dollar and 3 dollars if you look.
Another advantage to physical media like CDs is that no company or government knows when you enjoy it. No ads, no tracking metrics- just you and your music :)
Another huge advantage of CDs is for me is based on the fact that streaming seems to narrow what you listen to. I have been making compilation CDs for decades. Even with my favorite artists I select the songs I want. And there are all the artists who were around briefly and would never show up in a 'discovery' mode or that I might not think of unless I was perusing my CDs. The Vulgar Boatmen, Horslips, Grant McLennan and many others.
The comparison between streaming and CDs really resonates. Streaming has definitely made music feel more like a temporary utility than a cherished artifact—there's no physical commitment, just endless access that numbs the sense of value. I've noticed myself revisiting albums on vinyl or CD just to regain that intentional listening experience. This shift in how we consume media isn't limited to music; it's happening across tech interfaces too, where convenience often replaces depth. For instance, as AI voice models become more integrated into daily tools, we lose some of the deliberate interaction that comes with older UIs. If you're curious about navigating these new AI experiences without feeling overwhelmed, check out GPT-Live Hub—it offers a clear, structured guide to OpenAI's latest voice model and how to make sense of its changes.
CDs and DVDs can degrade with time, and are prone to scratches and fungal growth on the surface. For anybody new to collecting, it is worth researching how to best care for your collection; and maybe worth ripping or otherwise backing up.
Archival DVDs and CDs with a gold layer, from a variety of suppliers, are claimed to have a longer life.
You can easily find the instructions for converting an iPod to flash memory, adding anywhere from 120GB to 2TB of memory, and then just start ripping cds from the local public library at 320kbps (though the iPod operating system has certain limits depending on the generation.) Add a new battery while you're at it and get 16 hours or more of play time before it needs recharging.
I bought a Sony Walkman digital player because I wanted more space than the iPod offered. I have about 85 Gb of music ripped from CDs that I own. Now I look at garage sales and thrift stores to see if they have any thing that I want and don’t already have. You can pickup CDs for anywhere between a dollar and 3 dollars if you look.
Another advantage to physical media like CDs is that no company or government knows when you enjoy it. No ads, no tracking metrics- just you and your music :)
Another huge advantage of CDs is for me is based on the fact that streaming seems to narrow what you listen to. I have been making compilation CDs for decades. Even with my favorite artists I select the songs I want. And there are all the artists who were around briefly and would never show up in a 'discovery' mode or that I might not think of unless I was perusing my CDs. The Vulgar Boatmen, Horslips, Grant McLennan and many others.
Streaming is just radio with more options. If it's not on your computer, you don't control it let alone own it.
The comparison between streaming and CDs really resonates. Streaming has definitely made music feel more like a temporary utility than a cherished artifact—there's no physical commitment, just endless access that numbs the sense of value. I've noticed myself revisiting albums on vinyl or CD just to regain that intentional listening experience. This shift in how we consume media isn't limited to music; it's happening across tech interfaces too, where convenience often replaces depth. For instance, as AI voice models become more integrated into daily tools, we lose some of the deliberate interaction that comes with older UIs. If you're curious about navigating these new AI experiences without feeling overwhelmed, check out GPT-Live Hub—it offers a clear, structured guide to OpenAI's latest voice model and how to make sense of its changes.
GPT-Live Hub — https://gptlives.com/
CDs and DVDs can degrade with time, and are prone to scratches and fungal growth on the surface. For anybody new to collecting, it is worth researching how to best care for your collection; and maybe worth ripping or otherwise backing up.
Archival DVDs and CDs with a gold layer, from a variety of suppliers, are claimed to have a longer life.
https://www.naa.gov.au/information-management/storing-and-preserving-information/preserving-information/preserving-cds-and-dvds