My preference is a little more sentimental. LPs were always the ideal form for me, given the attractive size. I've heard it described in foodie terms. An LP is like a platter. A CD like a paper cake plate. A cassette like a candy bar.
The 90s were a great time for vinyl hunting, as the pre-eBay era was full of various yard sales and flea markets with crates and boxes galore. But, likewise, a lot of my collection consists of albums that are a bit worn, a bit poppy, maybe a little scuffed. They're experienced, not virgin. And vinyl collectors who only seem interested in brand new 180-gram vinyl is irritating to me. Nothing against newer 180-gram pressings, obviously far superior to the flimsy factory pressings of the 1980s, and I have many. But, like books, the most interesting ones are those with creased spines. I want to know which ones you've been into.
My record "collection" really kinda goes back to the days of my youth in the 70s and 80s when that's what we all listened to. Music just came on vinyl. Although my parents did also have a reel-to-reel.
I lugged around my late brother's record collection for years until Katrina took it. Eventually, I started coming across a lot of vinyl again, people just giving me their entire record collections if I would take it off their hands, etc. Over time I "found" a record store in town that has been continuously operating since the late 70s and started buying some again too. People would send me records for my birthday.
I upgraded my system significantly and now listen to my vinyl a good bit.
The point though of responding to your post (sorry, I got side-tracked) is that I have lots of older records from the 70s and 80s, and even a good number from the 1960s (mostly Classical) and I listen to them regularly, but if I have the opportunity to buy something I really care about on 180-gram, I buy it, in part for the great sound and in part for the longevity that format promises.
On the other hand, I do love the sound of crackling from a record and sometimes I will preferentially listen to older copies I have of a record over the new ones. Last weekend, for example, I wanted to listen to Joni Mitchell's
Court and Spark and I chose my old copy with all its crackles over my 180-gram copy. And I was glad I did.
I ramble sometimes.