Are CD (Compact Disc) Becoming Collectible Now?

When Old Music Becomes the New Trend

ByEina LibanPublished 32 minutes ago•3 min read
Photo byBrett JordanonUnsplash

My husband has an old soul.

He likes listening to old music from the ’70s, think soft rock, classic ballads, and the kind of melodies that make you want to roll down the car windows and sing along.

There’s something about the warmth of that era’s sound that just hits differently, and he’s always been drawn to it.

Previously, he was obsessed with vinyl records.

He even bought a vinyl record player, which is quite expensive nowadays.

At first, I thought it was just a phase.

But no—he dove in headfirst. He’d spend weekends browsing secondhand shops, flipping through crates of records like a detective searching for clues.

A vinyl record can cost around 80 to 120 Malaysian ringgit!

And some rare finds? Even more.

I didn’t mind, though.

Seeing him so happy made it worth it.

Plus, there was something romantic about the ritual: carefully placing the needle on the spinning disc, watching the album art come to life, and hearing that unmistakable crackle before the music began.

It felt intentional.

Like he wasn’t just listening—he was experiencing.

But recently, my husband has been obsessed with buying CDs, since our car is an older model with a CD player.

At first, I thought it was just practicality.

After all, you can’t exactly play vinyl in a moving vehicle.

But then I noticed the shift. He wasn’t just buying CDs for the car.

What I did not expect is that the price of a CD is getting pricier.

I tried to buy a CD as a gift for my husband but changed my mind after looking at the price.

I mean, 80 ringgit for a CD?

That’s almost the same as a vinyl!

I’ll be wasting my money on something non-practical. Or so I thought.

My 3 Take on This

1. CDs Are the New Vinyl
It sounds ironic, doesn’t it?

For years, we were told that CDs were dying.

That streaming was the future.

That physical media was obsolete.

But here we are, watching CDs make a quiet comeback.

Just like vinyl, they’re becoming collectible.

Limited editions, out-of-print albums, and even certain local releases from the ’90s are now hard to find—and when they do surface, they don’t come cheap.

Some rare CDs now go for hundreds of ringgit.

It’s not just nostalgia, it’s scarcity.

And in a world of infinite digital playlists, owning something tangible feels… SPECIAL.

2. Practicality Meets Sentiment
Yes, our car has a CD player.

Yes, it’s practical.

But there’s more to it than that.

For my husband, CDs represent a bridge between the analog warmth he loves and the convenience he needs.

They’re small enough to store easily, durable enough to last, and still offer that physical connection to the music.

Plus, there’s something satisfying about sliding a CD into the player and watching the tracklist scroll by.

No interruptions. No ads. Just track.

It’s not as fiddly as vinyl, but it’s still more intentional than pressing “play” on a phone.

3. Value Isn’t Just About Price

80 ringgit may hurt your pocket and bring you some financial distress.

But then, it’ll brings your husband happiness, and maybe even holds some future collectible value.

So if you have the means, and dont mind some price, then I say go ahead.

It may not be such a waste after all.

The Bigger Picture

What’s happening with CDs isn’t just about music.

It’s about how we relate to the things we love.

Especially in 21st century where Spotify, YouTube, etc,was right on your fingertips for free music.

But then, something about old items like CDs scream “Nostalgic” or “I own the Music”.

And maybe that’s why my husband is drawn to both vinyl and CDs.

It’s not just about the music—it’s about the ritual.

The tangibility. The sense of ownership in a world that’s increasingly intangible.

So yes, 80 ringgit for a CD might seem steep.

But if it brings him joy, fits our lifestyle, and maybe even becomes a little piece of history someday?

Maybe it’s not such a bad investment after all.

Still, I’m not ready to start hoarding them like vinyl. At least not yet.

About the Creator

Eina Liban

Finding beauty in everyday life and learning how to live it to the fullest. Writing on health, tech, and human wellness.

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