I dont feel the need to, its all direct peer to peer so you're downloading one file from one person. Its not like a torrent where you're downloading little bits of a single file from many people. However it's still theoretically possible for a rights holder to share something on the network to bait you and get your IP.
Thanks a lot. I edited my post, but i don't think the issue is as clear cut as just the server being slow due an overcrowded network like i thought at first. I just downloaded several gigs from it in under 15 minutes. Im just not seeing those speeds in my seeds. Maybe i have to pick better torrents to seed.
Soulseek is definitely still alive!