When CDs first appeared in 1983, one of the things were sold was that they would deliver perfect sound forever. Not quite.
If you’re into collecting physical media like CDs (and DVDs, Blu-rays, and old-school Laserdiscs, for that matter), a big threat is “disc rot.” This occurs when the glue binding the two thin slabs of plastic protecting the data on the reflective slice of aluminum in the centre dries out, allowing for oxidation to creep in. The result is discolouration—usually a bronze stain—visible spots, cloudy bits, and even holes. When that happens, the data contained therein is irretrievably lost.
Fortunately, the condition is rare if you store your media properly. That means keeping your discs away from extreme temperatures, excessive humidity, and direct sunlight. Cheap discs suffer more than properly manufactured ones. According to Sony, one of the co-developers of this optical technology, a properly store CD should last between 30 and 100 years.
Meanwhile, vinyl is pretty much forever as long as you keep it away from heat.
© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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