I have iPod nano's, touch, and shuffles from way back.....

With an Apple ID purchases you make from the iTunes Store remain available to stream or redownload, subject to availability. iTunes Match extends this facility to your CD rips which can be matched or uploaded to an iCloud Music Library, and made available to multiple cloud connected devices and computers, and will include eligible playlists (those that don't contain ineligible content). Apple Music further extends these features allowing you to add more content from the Apple Music catalog that you can use across your (cloud connected) devices for as long as your subscription remains active. Using either service (it is redundant to have both) doesn't prevent you making purchases in the iTunes Store.

I note you say iTunes is gone. This is not the case, however installing Apple Music for Windows, Apple Devices for Windows or Apple TV for Windows will alter iTunes such that it can only manage audiobooks and podcasts. Device management features are suppressed. Remove all three of the new apps if you wish to continue to use iTunes to manage your music and devices.

tt2