Have digital players improved

I'm not sure digital has improved over the past 5 years. Computer-based digital aside, it looks pretty much the same to me as it did 5 years ago. As far as having to "fiddle f'g" with analog, once a player is competently installed in your home, it's really pretty easy. Just put the record on, clean the needle and play. Almost as easy as CDs - really. Of course if you're one of those people who are constantly obsessed with futzing around with the record player and living in constant dread that something is amiss - you're defintely better off with a nice CD player.

sorry, in my experience digital is not the equal of well sorted analog. I have a hard time dealing with the compressed nature of the sound stage and lack of air around voices and instruments that analog excels with and digital fall short.

Simple answer is yes!

With my Ayre CX-7e(mp) running balanced into any Ayre AX-7e, I'm at the point where I don't care. Bring on the music.

It's ironic that digital has vastly improved in recent years yet the quality of mainstream digital recordings continue to suffer. So many artists and labels have jumped on the pointless "loudness wars" bandwagon that it's impossible to count.