Living in a Manhattan apartment, I’ve learned to streamline. I have what I need and not too much more.

So when a large box arrived at holiday time last year, I cringed. Yes, I was delighted that my two young-adult children had cooked up a thoughtful gift for me. But I was dubious about dealing with what was inside the cardboard: a stereo turntable and speakers, along with a single vinyl album – a Bob Dylan compilation.

After all, I had winnowed my music-listening to what I could stream directly from my iPhone, along with a single Bose speaker capable of filling any room with gorgeous sound. Anything I wanted, at any time, all within two smallish rectangular prisms. At a moment’s notice, I could pack the whole thing up in a shoebox.

However, I was touched and could think of no viable alternative, and so, with the help of a friend, I set up the primitive machinery – cables and speaker wire and all – in an available corner. As it turned out, I had just the right spot for it.

We put on the Dylan album.

And from the start, I........

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