The problem with streaming

@vuch  - I agree, Rickie Lee Jones - S/T is a fantastic album and I'm glad I still have my original 1979 version that's in excellent condition. Don't know how it made it through college in that condition, but glad it did.

Anyway, that kinda enforces my point. I heard "Chuck E.'s in Love" on the radio in 1979 and bought the album. My source for discovery in those days was AOR radio stations and independent radio stations. There are, unfortunately, very few of those around today. Streaming digital, from sources such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Radio Paradise, YouTube, etc., are my sources for discovery today. When I hear something I really like, I go to discogs and look for the best version available on vinyl and I buy it. But I don't buy everything I hear and like. I've found many great songs, but when I've streamed the album, I found I only liked the one song. In that case, I passed on buying the album and just add the song to one of my streaming playlists. Saved a lot of money that I can spend on more worthy records.

Well when I pull up a hi res choice while streaming, I know I am getting 24/192.

If you can't enjoy streaming sound quality for serious listening sessions something wrong with streaming setup, or have serious case of audiophilia in that you can only enjoy the very best recordings (say hot stampers) played on the best tt with the best cartridge with the best phono stage.

While I consider myself an audiophile, my system, and ability to accept less than best sound quality from various sources and recordings gives me great pleasure! I can turn off the analytical mind and simply enjoy the music.

I know what you're saying.  It's so much easier to paw through used records at the record store and try to read the matrix and look it up on Discogs on your phone and then read all the comments and ratings about that release to make sure you know what pressing you have and how good it is before you listen to it.