Retail Music Stores Gone

I hate shopping for CDs in a retail store. Unless I have some titles written down I can never remember what discs I want, and if I do remember, I have to hunt them down and hope that they are in stock. For me, shopping for CDs in a brick and mortar store is usually a stressful experience. Sorry, I don't get a kick out of chatting with the clerks with new-wave hairdos.

However, shopping on iTunes is a joy. Finding the music I want is easy, and I can listen to a 30 second sample with a double-click of the mouse. The store even provides recommendations based on my previous purchases. I get the music right away, and the best part is that I only have to pay for the tracks that I want.

Of course, iTunes is currently only offering 128kbps AAC files with DRM, but that is starting to improve with the offering of 256kbps AAC files (arguably indeterminable from CD) free of DRM for EMI's artists later this month.

I understand that many people don't share my enthusiasm for shopping online for a multitude of reasons, but I can't see how 5 years from now the majority of music purchases will be done online.

uhurit, let's see:

Barnes & Noble cardmembers receive about twelve 15% off discount coupons by email each year + 10% off card discount = 25% total discount or $4 savings per typical $17 CD x 12 months = $48 savings

$48 savings - $25 gift card cost = $23 savings = 11% off first 12 CD's purchased.

Assuming at least 12 CDs purchased per year, the gift card effectly costs nothing and the average discount on all CDs purchased during the year is 10-11% off. Not too bad, when added to the fact that listening prior to purchase eliminates wasteful buying & there are also discounts on books for those who still read....

I also use their headphones to kill time while my wife is cruising the mall, & to qualify CDs for purchase later on from cheaper sources. It's only fair to factor these benefits into the cost of goods at B&N.

Net net, while I don't care much for chain store operations, I'd like to help keep this record department viable.

Where is the Stereophile poll? I have always heard about the mythical audiophile with the $50k system and 12 CDs, but I have never actually met one.

Sdatch, I'll bite on this one: I knew a fellow with $100K+ in Krell FPB monos, Wadia separates, Dunlavy SCV speakers, and 100" Stewart screen in a custom-built concrete bunker, who listened only to Roger Water's "Amused to Death" and Yes's "Fragile."

Right!
I never download as I believe the quality is simply " not there"