When and how did you, if at all, realize vinyl is better?

I had an analog rig exclusively until 1994 when I finally bought an inexpensive Nad 502 which sounded better than the 3 previous more expensive cd players I'd brought home to demo and then promptly returned.
Records just sounded much better.  I had a Kenwood KD-500 w/ Grace 707 arm and Supex SD-900 E+ and it always sounded good compared to any CD I had listened to at the time.  

After the motor on my Kenwood started to not be able to keep the speed consistent, I bought a used Maplenoll Ariadne that took about 6 months to get right--many new parts.  Then, it was a beautiful sounding table/arm.

I kept the Nad for about 14 years, then bought my first NICE cd player--the Modwright Sony 9000.  It was night and day difference and suddenly, some cds sounded better than the records at times.

Fast forward to now, and I have a Modwright Sony 5400 Signature Truth with all the upgrades and it sounds absolutely stunning on some well recorded cds.  Yesterday changed things again.  Since getting a TRL DUDE preamp, I've been looking for a phono preamp that would sound as good as the DUDE.  I went  through a couple with each getting better sounding.  I now have a Whest 3.0 RDT SE phono and it is my idea of sonic perfection, or as close as I'm going to need.  I have a Super Lenco rebuild with most of JTN's upgrades, Trans-Fi Terminator arm, and Benz Micro Ruby 3 w/ myrtlewood body.  Once I finally got the loading right on the Whest, the sound was considerably better than any analog setup I've ever had.  Now, there are a few cds in the same league with the records, but most of the music is a big win for vinyl.  Every single record I've listened to since yesterday has sounded much better than they did with a very good phono preamp I had prior.  Vinyl again rules!!

When? In 1960 when Canada Post shattered on delivery by throwing the package on the doorstep all my childhood post war England original priceless Miller shellac 78s. I thought--all the the way from the UK, and destroyed by a postal worker in the last 2 feet. If they were vinyl that would not have happened. That is when I knew vinyl was better. 57 years ago. The more things change, the more they don’t.

1986. The first time I ever heard a CD player coincidental with my first VPI table. No contest.

Sometime it's CD's sometimes it's analog. It's all good. There is my special times I just want to spin LP's.

To me it’s the music that matters. If a piece of vinyl and a good table makes it happen that day that’s great. I listen to different formats based on what each one reveals. I love vinyl. I love my CDs (and I love tubes except when I don’t). And sometimes I hate that phones don't provide the touch feedback that good speakers do (I only use subs for movies not music but I have heard at least 2 fabulous and moving systems with subs. . . ) I do love good phones sometimes and digital music while walking and thinking- I can listen in a way I can’t at home with vinyl. The turntable in the house I’m in has problems that can’t be addressed structurally (so it’s a matter of choosing a time when people are reasonably still). A good balanced system and CD is great music. It doesn’t have the warmth of vinyl sometimes but the pops and clicks do bother some more, and some more at times, than others. Honestly, I really don’t think there is a better criteria for which is best than which one makes you completely forget everything but the music.