I'll often preview albums in digital format and if I love it enough, I'll seek it out on vinyl (e.g., Konono #1 "Congotronics", which I've loved for months but not owned 'til yesterday). I rarely buy CDs anymore, usually if its the only format available. I figure if I own something, it might as well be big and pretty.

Sometimes, I'll buy an album on a whim or recommendation, or in loyalty (e.g. the August Born Chasny/Ghost collaboration purchase of yesterday).

A friend of mine runs a distro of mostly noise, punk, and metal records. I'll often go over there, smoke some dope, listen up, and take a few choices home with me for totally reasonable prices.

Really? I have a number of those (all 8 Can reissues) and they play fine in everything I've tried (at least 3 completely different computers, several car CD players, and a home CD player.) It's the one new technology that I actually can buy with relative confidence. Of course, since I don't have surround-sound or an SACD player, I can't take advantage of the features of that layer, but the CD layer works perfectly.

Or are you referring to the small number of titles that were stupidly released as SACD only? Because then I'm with you: labels, that the HELL are you thinking?!