I grew up with tapes, too, but haven't popped one in for a looong time. CDs were the new thing around the time I entered college, and I switched to those. Built my collection joining one of the infamous CD music clubs over and over ("Get 24 CDs for the price of three!"). Also had lots of hand-me-down records from my parents growing up. I can see how people stay attached to vinyl. Best feel of any format.
I am very slow to adapt to new technology. I hate change. But my wife got me an iPod nano for Christmas, and I absolutely love it. I mean, I used to drive around with a large box of tapes. Then I drove around with a long sleeve of loose CDs. Now I can plug my nano into the aux input in the car. I have 2,000 songs on it --- and it's half full. That's pretty awesome. Putting it on "shuffle" is like listening to a custom radio station with no commercials or annoying, self-absorbed DJs who think they're really funny.
And I travel a lot for work, so I can listen to the nano while I wait for 6 hours in an airport.
So when 2,000 songs can sit in your shirt pocket, I'd have to say digital is my favorite format, just for the variety and capacity.
