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- Title
"Perfect Sound Forever" Innovation, Aesthetics, and the Re-making of Compact Disc Playback.
- Authors
DOWNES, KIERAN
- Abstract
The article discusses the adoption of Compact Disc (CD) technology by audiophiles and incorporation of the medium into their aesthetic and cultural paradigm for the reproduction of music. The author reflects on the perceived low quality of CD sound and technological innovations leading to the delayed acceptance of the format by consumers of the high-end audio community. Emphasis is given to the influences of aesthetics and enthusiasm on innovation and the design of small-scale sociotechnical systems. Disputes over definitions of high-fidelity sound are noted. Other topics include hi-fi hobbyists, modification of CDs and CD players, and digital versus analog content.
- Subjects
COMPACT discs; COMPACT disc players; HIGH-fidelity sound systems; TECHNOLOGICAL innovations; AESTHETICS; ENTHUSIASM; ADOPTION of ideas
- Publication
Technology & Culture, 2010, Vol 51, Issue 2, p305
- ISSN
0040-165X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1353/tech.0.0442