I don't know what it is about vinyl, but listening sessions are so much more satisfying. It has more meat on the bones. Music sounds like it should. Despite what many have told me ("there's better out there"), I want a VPI Classic 3 in Rosewood and a Lyra Kleos Cartridge. I could spend more, but looks are important for me in two areas: speakers and turntables. I know that's soooo wrong....but I want speakers and a table that sounds great and looks great. The ClearAudio Innovation Wood might be the best looking table (IMO)....but the VPI Classic 3 just looks like how I think a table should look! Hence the reason its my Avatar!
There is something you rarely hear people talk about: spring tables vs mass tables. If you have a concrete floor, you can have either and rock on. If you're like me, and have a sub-floor, then a mass (aka heavy ass) table is much better. Another reason why the VPI Classic 3 makes sense for me. It weighs a ton! IMO, there is no greater example of the law of diminishing returns as their is with vinyl. You have to spend ungodly sums to get that 1% or 2% better.
One last thing I've found when people start to dip their toe into the vinyl water, they have a misconception that buying records from the local pawn shop for $1 is going to result in a magical musical experience. Most times, those records are pretty beat up and sound terrible. My recommendation is to have a smaller record collection of new records - especially new records from Acoustic Sounds. Their reissues of some great recordings from their sister company, Quality Records are excellent:
http://www.qualityrecordpressings.com/index.cfm?go=projects Starting out, I would rather have 10-20 new records (even if they are reissues) that I absolutely want and love, rather than 100-200 beat up old records. Just my two cents....build YOUR record collection - not someone else's.
As for digital, its a source that is required if you want a virtually unlimited selection of new music. But if you're like me, you will first check if a new LP is out on vinyl before buying the high-res or CD.
Mike