I've found the cure for missing classic electronics with buttons and dials and LEDs and cool stuff like vacuum tubes. Unfortunately, it's pretty expensive, and other people will most likely be indifferent to your pursuit of this hobby, which you will practice alone, for yourself, possibly next to a potted plant. It's synthesizers.
The Korg Volca series is a fun entry-level series of all-in-one synthesizers and step sequencers. They go for about $140 each (look for them used). But it won't be long before you want a mixer and some better headphones, and then you'll be eying those wild fully-analog modular setups with fields of blinking lights and forests of patch cables and mentally composing your own Command & Conquer: Red Alert soundtrack. Beware.
