There are times when convenience is useful. It is never paramount. I don't stream, I've got more LP's and CD's than I can ever listen to. When not listening intently I prefer as much silence as I can get, and that includes the AC and the rooftop exhaust fan. When I listen I focus on the sound, on the music. I just finished listening to an album of stuff from Zimbabwe in the 80's. Last night it was Carl Nielsen"s Sixth Symphony. I listen to these things like an explorer, always discovering new stuff. Having background music in a car makes me crazy. Bottom line: what other people do is fine with me but that's not where I am. If I had all my equipment hardwired within one box that is what I would do. I'm not going to send the music to the speakers by radio. I'm not going to take an analog signal. digitize it, then reassemble it. For internet radio, sure. Otherwise, life is too short. I'm not arguing against convenience. Sometimes that is necessary. But to me, throwback as I am, the very concept of a server is anathema. I know that stuff sounds pretty good, or can. But joining the digital milieu is not my gig. My AirPods? Good for noise suppression when they reroofed the house, or for calls when going for a walk. Hard to take the stereo with you!
