I prefer a plastic disc in my paws and player but if the same thing was available as a significantly cheaper download, I'd probably buy it, provided:
1. There's considerable quality control done on the files to ensure there's no monkeying with them to either make it look like it's higher spec'd than it is, and to prevent some doofus converting it to another file type and then back again and losing information. As Clint pointed out, some high res files from HD Tracks ain't as good as the CD. I've downloaded stuff so I can flick between 24-bit/96KHz FLACs on the Sony and CD on the Rotel to compare, and the CD sounded better overall. Could be down to the Sony's DAC not being as good as the Rotel's but then other 24-bit/96KHz files I have on BD/DVD sound better than the CD, so who knows.
2. The "service" is available everywhere. Many HD Tracks aren't available for download in New Zealand (yes, I know there are services to hide where you are but I shouldn't have to lie to buy a product). A QQ'er recently kindly recommended a movie streaming service where lots of the extras that would normally only appear on the BD are available. I thought, "Cool, I'll check it out", but no. Not available to 4-5 million of you fellow Earthlings on that tiny sliver of crooked dirt down the bottom of the planet.
3. All content is always available. No one wants "for a limited time". Imagine thinking "Might listen to them Poco quads tonight with my eyes shut once the sun sets ", only to find that, "Nope, not that popular so we moved it off our servers to make room for Insane Clown Posse". (Whoop whoop! Insane Surround Posse.)
I've got the money and am willing to exchange it for the product/service. Why all this other complication needs to be added freakin' mystifies me.
I hope the option to buy a plastic disc continues though. If it disappears altogether, then we're just renters. Probably won't happen for ages though - records are still around. Snap, crackle, pop.