Vinyl vs Streaming

@kevemaher I like my albums a lot.  But there are times while I work I cannot get up to change the record to the next side.  I don't have auto-lift on my current Sansui record player.  So sometimes Streaming helps with with that.  And I feel at the same time I am not abusing my record or my turntable.  I also like SiriusXM and listen to a lot of music on that.  

Lastly, I have a Qobuz subscription and Roon.  Roon has been pretty decent at mixing music and finding new music.'

I wanted to give you a slight twist on your perspective which I understand and appreciate.

PS: Rent vs own - I get that as well.  But we are where we are.  You will own nothing and be happy.  :P

I've got a streamer but rarely use it; I much prefer my LPs and CDs or watching live concerts on YouTube. 

@jay73 I get exactly what you mean. Although vinyl is a richer experience... I use the analogy of enjoying excellent frozen yogurt vs tasting real ice cream... streaming is just so much more convenient. I'm listening to my "Straight Ahead Jazz" playlist that contains over 250 tracks, shuffled on Qobuz. I've done a couple of things to optimize the sound to make it more analog, less digital sounding. I can listen for hours

These days, I only spin vinyl on Sundays. There's the whole ritual of selection, brushing each side prior to play, placing turntable weight, cueing up and then settling in. Then it's up again to remove, replace and do the same thing again. Is there a superior sound? Yes, but sometimes I question whether it's worth the hassle for marginal improvement, trading off convenience. 

There are all the other challenges with vinyl: surface noise, cracks and skips. That last part just burns me up! I cannot for the life of me, figure out how I can take a newly pressed re-issue. treat it with utmost care, and still develop a "scratch"?!

I'll end it with this. According to many reviews - professional and user testimonials - Linear Tube Audio's Aero DAC comes extremely close to producing that vinyl effect many of us crave. That's one of my next upgrades. Then I might only play records once a month.

@ctlesq 

Certainly streaming is more convenient. Back in the good ol' days one listened to the radio all day. 

I listen this way also from time to time.

Listening as you described is not critical listening. it is simply listening to music as background.

You can purchase an aftermarket  tonearm lifter if not having an auto lifter is a burden. I use one on my Technics Sl-1200G and am now in the process of fitting one for an outboard tonearm on that table.. You will still need to get up to change the LP..

I find that vinyl still sounds better and ,more relaxing. But my aging body prefers streaming for convenience and the ability to build playlists as I go. It seems each song reminds me of another then another. Which with vinyl I would be hopping up and down getting albums out. And in the end it really is about the music, relaxing and taking a mental “bowel movement” away from life’s problems.