MM, MC, or MI cartridge

RV, You are dead meat, at least in my experience. One of the principle reasons that I got out of vinyl was that I was compulsively listening to all of the audio thingies, like sound stage in particular. I venerated my "Living Stereos"! I came to realize that the cost of vinyl (both the good things and the bad) was the loss of interest in the music itself. Modern digital was good enuf and I can listen thru the digital artifacts and hear the music without much distraction. So much out there in digital (not on LPs) to explore and, potentially at least, enjoy. :-) FWIW.

newbee,

I totally agree that digital is unlimited in capacity and enjoyment. In the past couple of years I’ve gotten my digital setup to where I want it, and it sounds great.  I’ve been enjoying streaming and the SQ it provides a great deal. 
BUT, I have over 2000 records many of which also sound great, and I want to get the maximum out of that. 
I may indeed be “dead meat” if I can’t reconcile the compulsive analysis with the music.  Let’s just say, I know what you’re talking about.

 But maybe digital and analog can peacefully coexist.

One thing that I have reaffirmed is that digital and analog are not nearly so far apart sonically as they once were. The gap is much smaller. 
 Digital has really come a very long way. 

The most reliable thing for me is whether I drift off and choose to do other things rather than listen to music. When I've got something right I can't wait to get home and turn on the system and play some music.

@newbee 

Ok, that is just sad… a personal problem. Once you get a piece of equipment that sounds great… time to relax and really enjoy it.
 

Over the decades, I actually realized that that “analytical” mode wasn’t useful for more than a few minutes while auditioning… and that just listening to the music… to see if you get engaged with it, is the best way to evaluate it.

Then when you have brought your new better system and advanced to the new greater level of performance, enjoy it for many years before going for another upgrade.