As the father of at least one hipster (he liives in Bushwick, so it's official!) and after spending time with his delightfully unexpected friends, I get the impression that the tactile experience has value for them. Many of my sons friends are musicians, and making music using a physical thing (guitar, piano, sackbutt, ondes Martinot...) is part of their lives and physical medium for reproducing music makes sense to them.
I love the ritual of playing records, everything about it. I have three turntables and they delight me. Thousands of records, thousand of CDs, streaming... it's all good. And I currently looking for a R2R!
Because it's fun? Yes.
Though the resurgence of the cassette is a little baffling. I suppose it's like pet rocks. Does some of it come down to wearing vintage clothing and buying midcentury modern furniture? I don't know...
Something I've wondered about too.
Have fun! Now I'll think I'll slip in a Minidisc and listen to Hot Tuna. Or maybe an Elcaset...
Peace