Stones guitarist prefers vinyl over digital

Keith Richards doesn't own an iPod.

The Rolling Stones legend admits he's not a fan of MP3 players - such as Apple's popular iPod, launched in 2001- and prefers to listen to music on old school vinyl records because they have better sound quality.

He said: "I don't have an iPod. I still use CDs or records actually. Sometimes cassettes. It has much better sound; a much better sound than digital."

The 69-year-old guitarist thinks music fans are "all being shortchanged" by the sound quality of modern gadgets - which often compress music to make into small computer files - but concedes times have changed, and it must be accepted.

He said: "They're sucked into it and they can't get out of it, nor can we; so is the public. There's something missing there, but it's the price of the future I guess."

While Keith is reluctant to embrace the digital age, he has picked up some iPod tips from wife Patti, 57, and daughters Theodora, 28, and Alexandra, 26.

He added: "My old lady's got one. My kids have got them. I say, 'Look me up this', or, 'Oh I like that. Check me that.' I know what these things can do. I'm not totally anti-them."