Is vinyl still a "perfect" source?

It's never been a "perfect" source to begin with. Yes, anything that is recorded or mastered digitally is no longer an analogue recording: what you wind up with is digital and the weakest link of LP playback, the grooved vinyl itself. Hardly a recommendation. So, unless one already has a library of vinyl records or is intent on buying someone's collection or is patient enough to sort the grain from the chaff to only buy real analogue LPs, I would simply say give the turntable kick a pass.

Except as noted

Perfect? Sure is..... if you can find the titles you want, can put the time and money into setting it up and maintaining it correctly, can get past the spoils of digital convenience, but if you can deal with all these concerns it can sound fantastic and it sure is cool to own, collect and play vinyl!

Still "perfect"? I've got bad news for you, it never was, and probably never will be.

There is a good deal of excellent AAA vinyl being made today. But by far the joy of my analog rig is finding those 1$ garage sale specials which are wounderful and superior to garden variety redbook in my system. Of course if your taste runs exclusively to current day pop this might not apply.

If you are into audiophilia then source is everything - having analog and digital souces gives you more choice of excellent source material. If you don't have big $$$ an inexpensive vinyl rig plus budget vinyl source can give you a good deal of satisfaction. And chase those digital blues away!