To me, the album booklet and packaging is part of the album experience. So I'll always buy the physical CD for any band I like. The artwork and "presentation" of the CD really adds to the whole vibe of the record. Would I like DT's Awake album as much without the dark and thought-provoking artwork that really pulls the whole theme together? Or what about Queensryche's Promised Land album artwork without the fold-out totem pole in a ravaged swamp? Basically, having the artwork or packaging right at hand on a regular basis is important to me personally. I feel like something is missing if I don't have it.
For bands that I am a huge fan of (original Queensryche, Fates Warning, Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Alice in Chains, etc., etc.) I am in total agreement.
But for me personally, it makes no sense to do that for EVERY band I buy music from. It just doesn't. And although I can appreciate Nick's sentiment about being able to tell, if he feels that way, then that's good for him, although if you pull up the research, you'll find it's more of a mental thing than it is an actual thing, regarding hearing.
Really crappy MP3s (128, 160, etc.) you can hear the "thinning out" of the quality. But not when you are at 256 and 320. I can pick up a really slight loss at 192, but nothing higher than that. So for me, it was just a mental hurdle.
Also, it really depends where you are in life too. Maybe a guy like Nick, yourself (Mebert), have time to sit down and immerse yourself with a favorite album in peace and quiet. Just you, the album and a set of headphones with the artwork, and a good 90 minutes to enjoy the experience. I really don't. My music listening (most of the time) is in the car, at the office, and sometimes, when working around and outside the house.
Those times that I do have to sit down and listen, are usually taken up by watching concert Blu-rays and DVDs, so I focus more on buying those physical products.