Listening Online

Related to my post of yesterday, online listening is a distinctly non-audiophile experience. It also is not nearly as isolated as an iPod unless you really try hard. After all when you are online, you are rarely only listening. I at least am usually typing, working, playing solitaire, or involved in some activity that takes me away from concentration on the music.

On the other hand, the possibilities are pretty amazing. I've already noted the availability of historic Met performances on RealNetworks's Rhapsody. I've long been a Rhapsody subscriber, which has an amazingly comprehensive library of recordings. Today Alex Ross tells about the impending availability of DG's new download service. And then there are the other usual suspects iTunes and (a particular favorite of mine) eMusic.

Now most of these are geared towards downloads, which seems to me the most efficient of all methods of obtaining music. Rhapsody's streaming model, on the other hand, is the most cost effective method of hearing music that you might listen to once for curiosity's sake (How bad is the Bocelli Pagliacci? Pretty bad), but not really want to buy. But don't expect the best sound or a conducive listening experience, because it is not ideal.

I think we still have a ways to go before the whole concept of music delivery shakes itself out. Let's be clear, the CD is doomed. In a few years, it will be a relic like the 8-Track or the 78 rpm shellac disc. The question is what will end up being the long term replacement.

Well if I could answer that now, I'd be busy investing in whatever it is, not blogging.