I just opened a Qobuz account. I use it to check out new music, but I have compared high res (24/96) files to the same file stored on my hard drive and there is no question the hard drive sounds better. It shouldn't, it is just numbers, so there is something else going on here. Perhaps the Qobuz files are being intentionally corrupted? They do not sound bad, just not as good as they should. Both are going through the same DAC.
As for vinyl, I record records to my hard drive all the time and they sound just like vinyl. Nobody can tell the difference. So, whatever is happening in the vinyl process can be captured digitally. You could even create algorithms to do it artificially. That said, a good high res file is superior to vinyl in every way. I do have some audiophile records that come close.
The solution is easy. You electrocute the old turntable (break it) and go hat in hand to the wife and explain that the old girl is beyond repair and we will have to get a new one.