"The reasons are, essentially, threefold. First, there's the pleasure of using something tangible: a nostalgia for devices with a single purpose, devoid of notifications and apps. More importantly, though, there's a desire to have a music collection again something led by the music-loving algorithm in your brain, rather than one outsourced to technology. It's their collection, rather than a playlist they've subscribed to, says Laidler, and they own the music and aren't simply leasing it from Spotify."
"Yes, your phone can play music, but it's a pretty insignificant part of its daily tasks, and for audiophiles, it shows. When you think about it, the DAC [digital-to-analogue converter] that's in [your phone] is only going to be one tiny component of the thing, says Laidler. In modern high-end MP3 players, on the other hand, the entire infrastructure is designed for [delivering] as accurate music recreation as possible."
Standalone MP3 players are seeing renewed interest despite the dominance of streaming services. Demand increased since Covid as some listeners want tangible, single-purpose devices free of notifications and apps. Many users prefer owning curated music collections rather than relying on algorithm-driven playlists and leased streaming access. Audiophile concerns about phone sound quality drive buyers toward dedicated players with better DACs and infrastructure optimized for accurate music reproduction. Modern high-end digital audio players focus on fidelity and focused listening, offering an alternative for people seeking ownership, intentional listening, and improved playback quality.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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