The only drawback is that once a purchase of a CD has been made the music cannot be heard until the mailman arrives. On the plus side, the on line catalogs of music include virtually every song by every artist that is currently available for sale. There are hundreds of thousands of titles available. As in most of life, the trick is knowing what you want. The on line capability of sampling music is perhaps the best benefit available to music lovers.
Most newer computers come bundled with enough software to play mpeg music files.
Other sound media programs like the RealPlayer are available as a free download. Armed with little more than an Internet ready computer with media player software and a valid credit card, music afficionados can lose hours and spend themselves silly on the music of their choice. Prowling around in the on line music retail sites one can discover and listen to all manner of stuff that pleases the soul. At least one of the people in my household is an unrepentant blues hound. One characteristic of the blues is that the pain and frustration of everyday life is captured, interpreted, and turned into something that the listener can relate to and appreciate.