> The local collection that I stopped expanding three years ago because I was now paying for a streaming service.

I know that feeling. When what.cd went down it was a tragedy but I was able to continue mostly as normal. I even "slimmed down" my collection to make it more portable, which was a mistake because all of the classics on streaming services are fucking remasters. God, I miss those days of music forums.

My music discovery hasn't had half the same intensity or wonder since those years. Now what, Spotify playlists? Their shitty nerfed "radio" playlists?

I miss music forums and trackers dearly. There's reddit but it's not quite the same.