Maybe I'm getting long in the tooth .........
In Europe around 1955 or so vinyl came to be the format.
I can see the move clearly to it from shellac was a good sound move.
1985 brought CD and to be honest this was the digital step.............all other formats etc are just variations on a theme
What does strike me is this : In the late 60's all have to be solid state no matter what...it was the God and all tube ( Valve ) gear was second rate................
However we have learnt our lesson and we now realise it can be horses for courses and that one can be good and so can the other.
In 2010/1 you buy what your ear likes the sound of and valve based ipod dock can be wonderful.
In 2010/1 we see CD,vinyl,mp3 are all there..............They all represent something
BUT the thing that interests me most is record company archiving for the future:
It was to be CD and no dispute.................However , it is not......it is high quality vinyl that record archiving is done with for the next generation.............
Why because in the process nothing is lost ! There is little that can not be digitally enhanced and recovered ..............even recreated !
So, if it is good enough for that and the HI-Fi sales of turntables is healthy and rising and vinyl is an increasing market.........it seems to me that it is not necessary to transfer any thing unless you really want to.