I think one difference is that there are now so many leisure choices that are comparable to listening to music. Television, movies on demand, video games, misc. Youtube stuff, Facebook, Free Republic. Many of these go on with music in the background, which reduces both the perceived value of the music and the concern for high, as opposed to adequate, quality.
Yes, I think that actually may be the main facet, truth be told. They are all competing. Frankly, whenever I sit down just to listen to music, it’s always vinyl. I’ve bought two new records in the last 17 years. I’ve never bought music online, though I used to use limewire religiously (I’ve since moved on to uTorrent), and the last CD I bought was in 1997, and it was the Monty Python double CD, aptly named “The Final Ripoff”. I kid you not.
Meanwhile, I’be purchased approximately 1,200 used vinyl LP’s in the same time period.