Is using streaming services worthy of an audiophile?

Hi Defiant,   To your original question about whether streaming is worthy of an audiophile, I'd say the answer can be yes. I don't have Tidal, but there are other methods. I'm using a Naim UnitiServe which gets the broadband music feeds from radio stations around the world. It lists for about 3k so not cheap, but not DCS/Boulder/Linn prices either. (The UnitiServe is out of print and has been replaced by Naim's Uniti Core)

The bitrate is shown on each feed so you know if you're getting: 32k (very low and not so great), 64k (fine), 128k (nice).... The quality varies with the bitrate, but even within the same bitrate the quality can go from so-so to really nice. Remember some stations are using super expensive equipment to transmit. Anyway, I didn't expect much but have found that a lot of stations sound great and of course you tap into so much different music that way. It isn't to say that vinyl isn't better (IMHO), but this can be CD quality.                              

As far as your questions about ripping vs. direct playing. When playing the CD a part that can't be read is filled in by the algorithm on the player and it moves on. When ripping the machine can keep trying to read the bit through a smudge or scratch. The Unitiserve will speed up or slow down to get a better read on the CD (I'm not sure if the lens changes angles as well) . It can be heard when the unit is varying the speeds during ripping. It also counts the errors so you know how many bits it missed on a CD in bad condition. Surprisingly its pretty few. I'd say 99% of the time there are no errors and only a few otherwise (fewer than 10). Its not hundreds or anything. I will say that on a really badly damaged CD the unit may just hang up, but that's probably only when the CD was used as a coaster or Frisbee or something.  The music is ripped onto the Unitiserve's 2Tb HDD, but a NAS can be used as well. Once its ripped the playback is great. 

Enjoy!

Yes, the Unitiserve looks up the album title and song titles online. It runs through several online lookup services till it finds the title. It also picks up the cover art, performers, composers...  
If the title isn't available it generates a random string of letters and numbers and you can manually rename it with the album title, song titles and the artist. The nationally known musicians and labels are always found. It's local musicians that it may miss.                                                
By the way, the Unitiserve doesn't have a screen or remote and must be controlled by an iOS device through Wi-Fi or via a monitor. I have a couple of  iPod touches that my kids don't use anymore so I use them as remotes, but iPads and iPhones are also fine. The Unitiserve's replacement the UnitiCore can also be controlled from an Android phone in addition to the iOS products. For my Unitiserve there is also a desktop/laptop client that is downloaded from the Naim website that I use to manage the HDD's database and set up a backup to my NAS.
This may sound difficult, but its all very straightforward to set up and easy to use once it's all in place.