Music CDs are the cornerstone of a modern music collection. Although not impervious to damage, they are inexpensive, easy to produce, and even easier to collect. First sold in 1983, they took awhile to convince a buying public that was skeptical about converting music collections from cassette to CD (after already having converted from vinyl to cassette, in large part). CD sales didn't overtake cassette sales for a decade. What happened? Namely, the price of CD players dropped and became affordable. Music CDs also offered the heretofore-unimaginable benefits of instant rewind and fast forward. Although CDs aren't as resistant to dust or heat as cassettes, the trend had taken hold and didn't look back. Today, the work of older artists is digitally remastered and put on music CDs because the format is so widespread. Whereas the masters kept by record studios inevitably became degraded over time, making a new master and adjusting for any unwanted noise or other undesirable audio characteristics creates better sound quality and lets studios release upgraded versions of albums already in their catalogs. Music CDs are too new to have a great deal of intrinsic value to collectors, unless signed by the original artist. Few original issue CDs have risen much in value and those that have are usually due to scandal or the artist's death. However, fast forward fifty years into the future, and today's premier artists just might be worth what an original edition vinyl copy of The Beatles' debut album is worth today. | 
