Music Format, too many? which way to go?

ONE POINT regarding things DOA, G. For those who are only boogie-ing on the crest of the wave, also DOA -- or roadkill in the rear view mirror -- will be much of the truly worthwhile music. Excuse the mixing of metaphors. I will also not be waiting personally for Corporate America and its well-compensated shills in government to do the right thing -- particularly not anything in service to artistic or to audiophile concerns. Not to mention the traditional and steadfastly dubious standards of intelligence and imagination associated with the "entertainment industry"...

Hey, G. -- '[Cross]Wired' magazine had an article on cassettes coming back -- highly in vogue in some circles -- just last month!

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SACD discs are expensive and the catalog too limited to be the only format.

Vinyl maybe if you don't need portability and willing to shop thrift and second hand stores. New vinyl is expensive.

CD is your best bet since they are very cheap used and you can borrow them from the library. The quality on average is not yuk, it is very good.

The suggestion of using a mac mini is a good one.

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It is difficult to listen to any digital after you heard good vinyl or tape playback. Better stay with digital unless you plan to have both later.

The question isn't specifically about me as I will be taking my vinyl with me to the grave. I am curious what the current and upcoming generation of music lovers will do. Not the MP3 casual listener but the kids that want to explore an expand their music interests. Where quality starts to become important to get the full expression out of the music and a little more money is required.