With the advent of digital audio, sound quality started to be confused with musical quality. Craig has some ideas on how to change that.

There’s an uneasy feeling that something is not quite right with today’s music—and it goes beyond the boilerplate “kids, get off my lawn” you expect from older generations. Why does a younger demographic believe that vinyl sounds better? Why did the 23-year-old server at a local restaurant tell me she preferred 1960s and ’70s music? Why do kids barely into their teens wear AC/DC and Pink Floyd t-shirts?

Today’s listeners have access to most of the music catalog at their fingertips and they stream music nonstop. But often, it’s background music. Ask anyone about the last time they actually just listened to music, at the exclusion of other activities. Expect a long pause as they try to remember. Something’s wrong. And I think I know what part of it is.

With the advent of digital audio, sound quality started to be confused with musical quality. We…