[Jan]

For me an audio format has to fulfil several criteria:

- It must not deteriorate after multiple listens. So this excludes all forms of analog media like vinyl. I can't align my perfectionism with the concept of analog storage media. When I rip the media to my PC I want to be sure to get bit-identical copies every time.
- It must give me the freedom of transcoding it to any other format and the freedom of listening to it in the way I like. Thus I wouldn't pay for an MP3 file. Not because it sounds any worse (which it usually doesn't) but because I can't transcode it into another lossy format without possibly introducing nasty transcoding artifacts. When I want to have MP3s for my DAP I just transcode my lossless CD-image. Also no DRM for me if I can't crack it.
- This is maybe nostalgic, but I simply like to hold something physical in my hands.
- Artwork is also nice, I like when artists experiment with the artwork (UW --> RiverRun slide shows). However, I wouldn't have a problem when an artist says that just the music is the 'end product' (like Autechre do). Boxsets are also very nice except when they are just created in order to rip off money from fans.

So my order of preference:
CD (fulfills all criteria) > lossless digital formats like FLAC >>>>> MP3 if it's an MP3-only-release like the RiverRuns.