And here is a third scenario. I use streaming to discover new artists. I look for the less well known ones. Listen to them on streaming for awhile and if I like it enough I purchase the vinyl which usually comes bundled with a digital download.
For me, that’s not a third scenario, it’s part of my own scenario.
I often listen to my large library of ripped CDs, but I find myself using streaming (whether it’s on YouTube or streaming Tidal or Apple Music on my system) like you, more for music discovery.
If I discover music that I really like, that’s often an impetus to get that music on vinyl.
I often enjoy the experience of owning and listening to vinyl more, for a variety of reasons.
For instance, I am a fan of disco, both original and contemporary versions, and I really liked Kylie Minogue’s last couple of pop, disco albums. If I had left imbibing her music to streaming, I’d be more likely to just stream it in the background, yell to our kitchen smart speaker to play it or whatever.
But in purchasing and listening to the vinyl versions, I enjoyed the “ physical connection” to the album in terms of looking at holding and playing the record, and I also perceived things that I liked better in the sound versus the streaming version. And I am more compelled to sit and listen intently to the album when I play the record version, so I’m really taking in all the details of the music and recording . All of this makes the vinyl versions my go to for my preferred listening experience.
Similarly, I really got into “new prog/math/rock” genre, with groups like Polyphia and Animals As Leaders. When I watch their performances, or check out their music on streaming, I immediately felt
“I have to get some of the records” and again, I just find It really satisfying to interact with the really cool aesthetics of their records, and the sound “slams” just great on my Soundsystem, so there’s a fully rounded aesthetic sense of satisfaction.
I wouldn’t say that nostalgia necessarily is a big component in why I got back in records.
I could’ve satisfied that just playing all of my old moth eaten records on the turntable I had before.
But there is a certain continuity with the past experience which is fun to partake in - that old excitement of “ I can’t wait to get this band’s record” and how exciting it feels to get the physical release in hand.