I didn't read the article, so I can't comment on it. But once upon a time there was really only ONE format, and turntables and cartridges were easy enough to use, adjust, and replace as necessary. Records and record stores were everywhere. So you could listen to them, borrow them, bring them to parties, and everyone could share their favorite tunes with friends and also make new friends. You got to listen to a lot of music that way without owning hundreds (thousands?) of records yourself. The universality and convenience was truly extraordinary. Then new technology came into the picture and long before it was iimproved upon the vinyl records disappeared and made the situation extremely frustrating for those who HAD to have new music but also had to buy new equipment with either few problems or a lot of problems (skipping, distortion, unable to read a disc or unable to read the last song, etc.).
Eventually digital got very very good, but not for $200 - what a Garrard turntable with cartridge used to cost.
Eventually digital got very very good, but not for $200 - what a Garrard turntable with cartridge used to cost.