Would you still pay $10k or more for a turntable not full analog front end these days ?

If I had to choose only 1, analog for superior sonics.  But I’d refuse to choose because I want and have both.  Tie between turntable excellent sonics and streaming convenience including discovering new music via Roon, Tidal/Qobuz.

Spent considerable effort to get the best price/performance with limited budget. Used VPI Avenger, used Grail SB, used Linn DSM/2 w Organik DAC upgrade (streamer DAC, sonic bargain). 

This is like that old joke about bacon and eggs- the chicken is involved, the pig is committed.

I’m "committed" to the LP format since 1970 or so. Which means I have a fair amount of records. Yes, more work, and if I were starting out today, I’d seriously question going down the rabbit hole. Aside from the gear, you’d have to look at the cost of the source material. Older pressings are great, but grading and price inflation make it expensive. One of the reasons I’ve shied away from tape- it isn’t the cost of the machine, it’s sourcing the tapes. Some new LPs are terrific and don’t cost a fortune-- e.g., the Tone Poets label. There are others.

I experimented with streaming without going all out- I was surprised at how good it sounded using Qobuz, but the catalog was more mainstream, not so deep on more obscure jazz.

Digital for me.

As time goes by, it will equal and best vinyl as technology proceeds.

BTW,  how many rolls of film have you processed recently?

B

I would not purchase my $45K analog end (or lessor) today. I am now down to using it once every couple of weeks. I will bring it out if I have visitor to show there is no meaningful or consistent better sound quality with it than my streamer.

@soix 

At the moment I’m running a 30 yo Thorens with Goldring 2300 cart and Herron phono.  My Aurender n200 through an Audio Mirror 4se does not make music as well but is more accurate at reproducing sounds than my vinyl is.
Ghprentice has spent much money climbing the ladder to a $23k streamer and says it matches his mystery analog system, set up by who, we don’t know.  Has he spent as much time and money exploring the best analog has to give, we don’t know.  He may be right, he may not, we don’t know.  We do know he was not saying his digital equalled vinyl with a $10k streamer.