Its really how much of the decreased quality bothers you or not. For me the convenience of mp3's (I usually keep a bitrate of 192 or more) trumps listening to cd's. Although I can notice a subtle difference depending on what speakers I use, it just isn't enough of a difference to bother me in any significant manner. Given my listening habits, lifestyle, and equipment, the mp3 versions are more than adequate. I would assume the majority of consumers feel the same way. After all, people used to listen to music on cassette and am radio, so I think ultimately if you are enjoying the song that is what matters most.
As a music fan my biggest gripe with the transition to mp3's is that somehow people think they should be able to get and keep music for free. I still believe in buying albums, even though I do choose to buy the digital versions now.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
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