That's the same price as the physical CD. I'm sorry. People WILL NOT pay for a digital download when they can get the physical thing for the same price.
Am I missing something? What is the justification for these prices?
Have record companies been writing off the printing price all this time and this price has always been the price of 'the music'?
Well sorry, it's far too much. And online it just looks stupid.
How much are you willing to pay for a digital download? I'd pay a $1 (that's AUS, so about $0.50 US) for a song myself. Especially if I had access to back catalogues and b-sides of my favourite artists. AND if with that money I got access to cover art and lyrics.
Minidisc
Minidisc is becoming more popular in Aus, especially for live recording and personal compilations. Minidisc work very well as good replacements for MP3 players too. Why pay $200+ for 60mins of music (via memory sticks etc.) when you can pay $5 for 78mins on a minidisc.
Minidisc.org is a good general site for Minidisc fans.
Minidisc.ch has top 10s on Minidisc products, as well as a great problems list for existing products. My Sony MZ-R55 is looking a bit old.