I don't collect them, but I have inherited a lot. I have boxes of 78s, 45s and 33s. I have an old Technics record player, but the needle isn't very good on it and it's just too much trouble to actually play them anymore.
The needles are still easily found in electronic stores like radio shack. It's not much more trouble than CDs, you just have to turn it over halfway through. I'm just weird and prefer them for their sound and vintage feel.