Audio (mp3) vs Complete Package (CD/Vinyl)

BTW: choice #2 for me ... I'm now switching to downloads for the better part of my purchases, but I'll still buy a few albums as CD or vinyl. It mostly depends on the artwork, and whether those albums are great collector's items.

I need the complete package. From the music vs. cover art poll:

Vompatti wrote: The whole product is important, whether that includes artwork or not. The problem with downloaded albums is that I find it hard to think of them as finished products when I have to burn them on a CD and print the cover myself to have a hard copy. I would, however, gladly buy an album that was released on vinyl without a sleeve and with a blank label, since in that case there would be nothing missing from the album.

On the other hand, if the album in question was only released as a download, I could consider buying it just to hear the music, but I would never consider it a proper album.

The music is enough for me. That is that substance that I'm buying, isn't it? 

Perhaps a more accurate way of saying (paper/plastic) which is somewhat leading, is to phrase it the way we dinosaurs think of it (CD w/ booklet/artwork/sleeve). 

Though even with the generic phrasing I would hope most people appreciate the full package.  Steve Wilson laments the fact that many music listeners today miss out on that joy of opening a big gatefold concept album like Dark Side or whatever, and pouring over the mysterious musing of the band.....the feeling that came from that was unforgettable to this dinosaur...especially when Roger Dean was involved!!!

Yessongs!!! 

Option 2

If I spend money on something, I definitely want the full package.

However, I don't necessarily feel the need to 'own' a lot of music per se (only the biggest favorites), so I regularly use services such as the library and Spotify to determine whether I need the album in question. More than half of the albums that I listen to never enter my collection.

Option #2 for me.

I like to get the biggest bang for my buck/euro/peso/yen/etc.

If I can score a great Zappa CD for 3.99 on eBay or  a used Marillion album for 1.99 at the record store, then there we go: great music plus a great physical product. Given how I seem to hover by places where used music are plentiful, this is my favourite option. Heck, sometimes I just find vinly for free.

If I can score a rare and normally pricey record off eMusic for, say, five credits... then hey, that's perfect. Sure, I don't get the packaging/item, but I do avoid paying 23 dollars for a single disc.

Always look at the cost-benefit ratio!

I think one important thing has not been mentioned yet. It would depend a lot on the source of the mp3 file. If it is not an official one you are ripping off the artist. Not only would it be illegal, it would also be counterproductive in the long run, since without money the artists can't produce more music.

it seems i may be one of few with this opinion here, however i think that all music should be made available for free on the net.  I would NEVER buy music that does not come with a hard copy.  I listen to music when it comes out or when i discover an artist, then if I like it enough, i will buy the CD or vinyl. 

If i had to buy all the music that i own, i would literally be broke

hitting_singularity2 wrote: it seems i may be one of few with this opinion here, however i think that all music should be made available for free on the net.  I would NEVER buy music that does not come with a hard copy.  I listen to music when it comes out or when i discover an artist, then if I like it enough, i will buy the CD or vinyl.  If i had to buy all the music that i own, i would literally be broke

Money is the only reason I don't own a hard copy of everything I like. I just got the 70- 75 Genesis box set a few weeks ago, and even that was a lot of money for me. If I do like a band I do make an effort to buy their cds, but I will probably never completely collect everything. I was hoping to get the Henry Cow Box set and David Gilmour Live in Gdansk, but I need a couple hundred dollars. I do have almost every Pink Floyd cd though, I am only missing a few, not counting compilation cds. I wish there was a way to make music free/dirt cheap but still give artists their due credit, but that isn't likely.