Would an Audiofile really download music?

Sure. It's just another tool to discover new music. You do seek out new music, right? ;-) (wink, wink)

It's the most efficient way I've found to discover music I might like but would otherwise never hear. Another excellent source for at least some types of music is emusic.com.

It's subscription based and inexpensive, provides samples, and delivers regular mp3's so that you're not limited to any particular playback device.

Can an audiophile own an MP3 player? I can't really work out with a 70 lb tube amp on my back. My ipod doesn't burn me either.

I download songs - listen a few times - and then erase. The amazon samples don't play the whole song and since there is an easy alternative, why not use it.

If there is something I really like. I'll get the CD.

My system (Verity, Cary, ARC, Oracle, etc.) now accounts for less than 5% of my listening. 95% comes off the i-pod in the car, on the deck, etc. Lifestyle changes (wife and child) make extended trips to the listening room a rare event. Sadly, and happily, i tunes has supplied the bulk of my new music. You lose something, you gain something.