Uncompressed .wav files would take a long time to download, even over a typical home type dsl or cable modem connection.
Non-lossy compression would help some, but would only get you a factor of about two improvement.
I just cant see paying on the order of 50 cents to a dollar for .mp3 level of quality (or lack of it) music. I used napser to locate (find out the real title and author) a song so I could then buy the CD. Oftentimes, I had just part of a title or part of the author's name. Napster allowed me to find and buy the music I was looking for.
Since the demise of napster, I have purchased less.
Paul
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the 1derful1
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the 1derful1