Why do you listen to records?

@kerrybh  If you want lower profile starving artists to have a living wage (be able to pursue their art), you need to buy the hard media (cd or vinyl), or the digital album (bandcamp, qobuz, etc) for permanent ownership. They are unable to get a living wage from the qobuz, tidal, spotify, whatever music rental/music discovery services.

If you like the album you discovered, buy it (not required for taylor swift or pink floyd of course, they are already rich).

I stream using Qobuz and Tidal, with Roon. The variety and convenience is incredible. Anything you want at your fingertips for a few bucks a month. I’ve discovered dozens of musicians that I love through Roon. This would not happen with vinyl-I’m not buying records of artists I’ve never heard. So the ability to discover new music is, for me, a huge advantage.

@moonwatcher  +100

Look at it this way:  For the last 40 years recording studios have invested heavily in PCM digital. The guys who understood how to master well for vinyl are long retired or dead. 

@deep_333 You make a good point and in many cases I have bought albums of artists I've discovered through streaming if they publish on vinyl. I've also bought show tickets when a few of these artists have been in my area. I agree that what they get from streaming services is too little. Personally, I'd be happy to pay another five or ten bucks a month if it all went to the artists. These artists do get a benefit, however, from appearing on streaming platforms-I own several albums I'd never have bought without discovering the artists by streaming-not saying its enough, but its a benefit.

My opinion-again-but there are incredibly talented mastering engineers producing audiophile quality vinyl these days. People like Kevin Gray, Emily Lazar, Ted Jenson-many others. Some of the reissues are better than the originals. 

I suppose that Thorens turntable with the Rabco arm I had back in the day is now worth some $$$ but for my listening pleasure it could not touch my Denon DCD A-110 SACD player , I mean in every respect not close. I agree some CD's are compresed but the SACD recordings are fantastic. I'm not knocking records , whatever floats your boat , I just moved past them.