Users can choose from more than 2 million tracks representing at least 15,000 record labels, said Zack Zalon, president of Virgin Digital. Red Pass also provides 60 professionally programmed Internet radio stations, CD ripping and burning provisions and a host of other new features.

"We created this service because we wanted people to listen to and discover more music than they ever have before," he said. "Granted, the digital music space is becoming more populated, but we believe our 35-year history in music enables us to offer consumers a certain level of musical expertise that other services simply can't provide."

One of Red Pass' unusual features is that users can let their subscription lapse, yet all of their downloaded music and options will be restored when the account is reactivated. Additionally, all purchased tracks will be replaced free should a user's computer crash or be lost or stolen within a year.