If I'm getting digital stuff I might as well just steal it.
Sorry, but that's the way I feel after pouring money into the likes of The Beatles, Dylan etc for decades. They have had enough of my money for the same old shit! But new releases I will happily buy a physical product. 
I usually use digital stuff just to take a listen on certain records from certain artists, and if I like it, I buy it, if not, I simply forget about that.
I love buying hi-res versions of albums. I remember enjoying Tracker in HD, in 192 kHz, 24-bit audio and all.
I don't know if I can hear the difference with hi-rez. Mind you, I'm a lot older than you, and I've played in bands for 25 years!
I can't hear the difference either 
To me, hi-rez simply means "the best version of the album". If I can get it and listen to that without skipping songs and all (aka listening to albums), it makes for a pretty exquisite experience. Almost like enjoying vinyl, only in digital. It's like Spotify is fast-food music and hi-rez is a fine music restaurant.
What is the purpose of high rez as a play back media ?
Sample rate allow to encode higher frequencies that are already outside of human hearing capabilities but if you want to play music for your dog - it is usefull.
Sample deeph allow you to encode higher dynamic so that when listening a very quiet part then a loud part can be encoded even louder for the sake of your hearing loss and neighbourhood peace.
Actually I don't know any existing CD that is using the full dynamic range of the media. Ravel's Bolero encoded dynamic should be topping at something like 60/70 db - try to play it at audible level from start and let it go to the end without lowering it with the volume knob.
Of course using high rez for recording, mixing and mastering is usefull because you have to keep the best possible s/n ratio, but that is before the playback step.
