Yes, the ability to listen to virtually anything at the moments whim, is a game changer.
I don't have a vinyl setup worth spending too much time on. It's adequate for ripping the
occasional rare LP but that's about it. Frankly, streaming/digital opens a whole new world for the classical-lover. I can lush out on some gooey Thalberg bon-bons, or a Kraus wind octet, or Theodor Currentzis doing wild things with Mahler, at a click of the mouse. Marvelous! And there are some very astutue young musicians who do astonishing things with CPE Bach or a Schubert trio.
But if I had a large jazz collection, that would be a different matter. Classic modern jazz (I mean the Blue Note/Prestige etc., era) has not been well served by digital, IMO. The depth and texture of the close-miked instruments doesn't quite translate well to digital, for some reason. So I can very much see your point, Pete. I wish I were 3000 miles east to have a listen with you.
