For all its promise and hype, digital music is still a smallish percentage (

but still -- sad as hell. i think it'll be a rough few years as people adjust to this (and many other) changes that digitization is bringing upon our economy. these trends won't take away people's desire to explore and share music with their friends though, and something will eventually come along to fill the social void those stores used to provide. Or so we hope.

For all its promise and hype, digital music is still a smallish percentage (less than 10%) of the overall market. What's killing off indie record stores is a combination of eBay and GEMM (flattening out the collector's market), big box retail both physical and virtual (most ordinary folk get their CDs through Amazon or Wal-Mart or Best Buy these days) and developmental trends that are pushing commerce out into the 'burbs and soaking up all the "third places" that record stores, indie coffeehouses, etc. used to provide.

but still -- sad as hell. i think it'll be a rough few years as people adjust to this (and many other) changes that digitization is bringing upon our economy. these trends won't take away people's desire to explore and share music with their friends though, and something will eventually come along to fill the social void those stores used to provide. Or so we hope.

But enough already. you've convinced me. You and all the other wax worshippers. I've comepletely caved. So I need your advice on decent stereo equipment. Pronto.

Get in touch.

FITS or Mister Leisure may have better advice, as I am by no means an audiophile (you need REAL cheddar to be a true one). Chime in if you wish, fellas.