I think it's because you're paying the music industry machine, not the artist. As noted above, a CD is worth pennies, it's the intellectual property on it that is valuable. When you pay a band for their music, you feel good, because you are giving money to the intellectual property owner. When you buy a CD at the Wherehouse, you feel crappy because you're paying both the Wherehouse and the industry weenies getting rich off the band's talent, neither of which contributed to the music in any way.
I've never felt ripped off or price-hesitant during any CD purchase where I bought directly from the band at a music festival (for instance).
Another reason I would cite is that audio components are one stop shopping. You save up for your new toy and you buy it and it lasts you a good long while. CD's are a recurring expense (for most people), which tend to collect the majority of the bitchin' (gas prices, movie prices, etc.).
I've never felt ripped off or price-hesitant during any CD purchase where I bought directly from the band at a music festival (for instance).
Another reason I would cite is that audio components are one stop shopping. You save up for your new toy and you buy it and it lasts you a good long while. CD's are a recurring expense (for most people), which tend to collect the majority of the bitchin' (gas prices, movie prices, etc.).