CD Sales Rise Again, but Modern Audio Gear Creates a New Problem for Collectors

As CD sales climb for the first time in nearly two decades, music fans are rediscovering the format—but many are hitting an unexpected snag: today's laptops, cars, and even some new stereos no longer include CD players. Industry data shows CD sales grew by nearly 21% in 2023, driven by Gen Z collectors and nostalgia for physical media. However, the very devices that once made CDs convenient are disappearing from the market. Apple removed optical drives from its computers years ago, and most new car models have dropped CD players in favor of streaming and Bluetooth. This shift leaves buyers with discs they can't easily play without buying external drives or dedicated players. Retailers like Best Buy and Target still stock CDs, but the ecosystem around them is shrinking. For collectors, the appeal of owning a tangible album is strong, yet the friction of playback may slow the revival. The CD's comeback is real, but whether it can survive in a world built for streaming remains an open question.