What we are talking about here, is competing Formats.
CD's (Ripped or Disk) vs. Downloaded Music Files. "Soon
all New Music will only be available via Music Downloads"!
That means CD's (Plus the ability to Rip them) is gone!
You can Rip a CD onto a Music File, and keep the CD as a
physical Back-up to the Music File; but, not anymore if all
new Music is severely strictly limited to Downloading only! You are replacing a physical medium Format (CD) with
a more fragile non-tactile Format in Downloaded Music Files. Even if you believe that there is no sonic difference, having a non-tactile fragile non-physical Music
File Format replace a physical one at additional cost
advantages who??? Not only those seeking better Sonics, but
reasonable reliability in keeping those Sonics longer-I
think not!!! No preparation has been made to make
Computer Audio Downloads reliable enough to replace the
CD, and none is even expected to be done in the near
future. The ability to Burn Music Files doesn't solve this problem-it makes it worse! That which can crash a Hard Drive can certainly crash a Back-up Hard Drive, it happens since they are both the same mechanism. Hold onto CD until Computer Audio Downloads have been developed with sufficient reliability to overcome the drawbacks of their non-physical nature. Instead it is rush/ rush/ hurry/ hurry/ hurry to replace CD Format with underdeveloped premature Downloading Format. This is the first time that we will be exclusively using a non-physical Format. It is not crazy to suggest that we tread cautiously, and not burn our bridges behind us just yet! We will pay for it dearly later on if mistakes are made by being way too premature! Treacherous ground here-keep both Formats!!!
