We are about the same age then
I've been listening to 90's R&B lately. Quite a lot of the popular albums were performed and recorded very well. Like you, I was pleasantly surprised.
Better when you do't see the clothes in fashion then LOL
Back on topic, I think we all have the ability to listen past or listen through all kinds of sonic sins. I think we all agree however that when we have our special listening time, being critical and less forgiving is harder to avoid compared to casual time. I think I am at a point where listening past these has become much easier. I feel it is a combination of the gear and my continuing improvements in flicking the switch on and off. For fifty days I lived with an impromptu set up. Digiital only. Set up in the living room, the whole family took turns manning the control tablet. I'm not saying I could live with it, I'm saying I actually did.
That said, we get back, I fire up the big rig, get it stable, listen to some of the playlists we made while away and to be honest, had a blast.
Then, I decide it's time to cue the deck and put a needle on the record. What can I say except the heavens opened up and angels started singing.
I guess, aside from groovewear, excessive tics and pops, warpage/wow (fortunately not a problem I have
) Analog sins are easier to live with than those of digital. Somehow bad analog may hurt my ears, bad digital hurts my brain. Sometimes almost literally.