Well, the internet opened a huge world of music to me... I suddenly discovered a lot of bands I didn't knew existed (Rhapsody, Edguy, Avantasia, Epica, After Forever, The Sins of thy Beloved, Ayreon, etc.).
First I started by downloading a song or two, but then I downloaded complete records... But I only buy it if I like it, if I don't I erase it... if I don't have enough money to buy it, I save until I can... usually in a record store metal cd's are really expensive, compared to mainstream ones, so I usually buy them at a flea market
...
Strangely enough, if I like the cd, and if I know I'll buy it eventually I try not to listen it on the computer, because it might ruin the moment when I listen it first on my cd player (you know, that spontaneous head banging and air guitar when you first hear a new amazing solo
)
But still I'd rather have an original cd, than a downloaded copy form the net... I don't know why, I think it's like Sirius' said, the booklet, and looking at your complete cd collection, and the smell and feeling of a brand new cd...