Is it limited to audio output? What about the playing quality or the emotional aspect of playing a great instrument played by other great musicians?

There are an awful lot of variables, especially regarding listening conditions. And then the strings are going to be different too.

You're definitely the odd man out if you don't prefer a Strad to a modern instrument, that strikes me as an odd thing. If it's so overwhelming then there should certainly be something measurable in the audio or there would be differences due to taste and preference, right?