Grand larceny is typically defined as larceny of a more significant amount of property. In the US, it is often defined as an amount valued at $400 or more. In New York, grand larceny refers to amounts of $1,000 or more. (From Wikipedia)
So your claim is that two CDs worth of songs (30) is $400? I don't know where you go shopping, but I suggest hitting Amazon or Best Buy, as CDs I've gotten aren't in excess of $20 a pop.
It seems to me that the charge involved this guy sharing “hundreds of songs” (this is from the article) with a network of “friends.” I suppose the number of friends (not quantified in the article) was substantial, hence the loss claimed by the Recording Industry Association of America.
I can see where the value of loss might be quite substantial and certainly exceeded $1,000.
Nevertheless, it seems plain to me that his case was used as an “example” to warn others not to do what he did.