Streaming beats digital downloads to top US music money league

My sentiments exactly.

I believe streaming is so much more popular amongst the younger smart phone listening group who are probably more into the latest music & are probably not so bothered about SQ.  That group will boost numbers significantly over down-loaders who tend to be older - probably well into the grown up kids stage, listen on home music systems to more serious music & want better/best quality.

A poll over on the fish pond shows 21% for renting (streaming),  79% owning  (buy CD or D/L)

I agree with Mike-B's thinking. I can see how I easily fit into his group of typical download/owner. Also when discussing music playback with younger colleagues I see trends for streaming paradigm.

What is interesting is that if both sources are essentially correct then it appears that the smaller number of streamers pay more cash than the larger number of down loaders. Appreciate that we are not comparing apples with apples as things like vinyl need to be allowed for but I think the music suppliers will be following the money.

Well this oldster can see the logic. Own LP's and CD's and love streaming from my little Untiqute. But the leap to downloads, ripping, NAS's and all that goes with it is still a hurdle for me; this despite following some really great information on threads from Mike B, Tonym, Adam, Simon and many others. Maybe in time.

Clay

The ripping / NAS is not that bad. However... if you are content with spinning the disks, there is no need to go down the NAS route. If you read Ken C's perils in his post on LAN configuration, you may actually become conviced that streaming / NAS etc was invented to torment users 

One advantage I found, with having all my CD / high-res audio collection in one place, is that I listen to some CDs I even forgot I owned

So if one day the urge is there, you know where to find us - we'll gladly walk you through a typical set up.

Happy Easter (spending it with family in Kraków / Cracow, Poland).

Adam 

Thank you Adam. Happy Easter to you as well. Be safe.

I don't get this thing about the young not being into SQ.. Many (most?) absolutely are in my personal experience... Even those of the YouTube generation ( IE the post MP3 generation) .

Observations though are what constitutes good SQ might differ slightly, but attractive, clear and rhythmic/good pace and timing replay seems common, and being younger obsessiveness about replay SQ hasn't set in yet.. they tend to appreciate the music for what it is rather than fretting too much on how it's delivered in replay.. When I hear a twelve year old talking about the latest pop idol and their songs and what is good or bad, I smile.. I think to myself music is still alive and well with the younger generation...

Dear Simon,

When the iPod first appeared, it really was not very good in quality terms of replay, but it soon caught up!

My opinion of course!

But the truth is that current mini digital players are so very much better than what we had when we were the age of those who make most use of these mini digital players, nowadays! I know that the best Sony Walkmans were very good, but mostly such mobile cassette players were made by the likes of Alba, and these were fairly primitive!

I think the young know when something is “good enough” to serve the purpose, and after that they do not give it further thought. One only has to walk down a street to see youngsters totally absorbed in their music with ear buds off some tiny digital device in some pocket! Totally at one with their music to the degree that they will almost walk into me! A pain when on a cycle path as I never know which way they will go next, so as unpredictable as a loose pet dog on the path!

Best wishes from George

[who does not have a mobile replay system!].