i feel you man. i stopped buying albums for a few years, but i'd still rather buy cd's or books than spend my money on shit i'm going to get rid of eventually like clothes, beers, buds, squares... Aside from these collections, 2 guitars, skate, car, camera, shows, and some threads, there's no desire to be buying other "stuff" and i travel when ready.
album art isn't just shit to look at, like the music itself, it's part of what shaped my life. If i'd had the option to merely download Minor Threat songs or DK albums instead of searching for them and spending hours scouring over the treasure inside, half of their effect wouldn't have taken root. kind of like kids having skateparks all over the place and not having to hunt for a place to shred in peace these days... the esoteric aspect isn't there.
where you're paying $20 for a DVD or cd, i don't know. Independent/Used record shops are the way to go, never should you pay more than $12 for anything, even when fresh in the shrink wrap.