I own a Dell 3008WFP, arguably the best consumer-affordable LCD on the market. And I also own three Sony GDM-FW900's, some of the best progressive scan CRTs ever made. And I can tell you this from now: The CRTs have a better picture than this LCD. They take more effort to own because of the million different things you have to adjust to get a perfect picture, but after all's said and done even this IPS panel doesn't match up. Overall it's close enough for me to use it as my center monitor, it's immensely large size being it's biggest selling point. But comparing ONLY the quality of the picture displayed, the CRTs still win. And I still use the CRTs for doing any sort of graphic work, watching videos, or playing games.
I actually attempted replacing the three CRTs with LCDs - I used this Dell monitor as the center one, and two TN panels for the secondary ones. The IPS panel was good enough, but the side monitors were just terrible.
Just keep in mind that if your own LCD vs CRT experience is based off of cheap-ass shadow-mask CRTs, then any but the worst LCDs will be better. No argument there. But if you can get your hands on a nice Trinitron or Diamondtron display (aperture-grille) CRT, don't pass the chance up.
CRTs:
+ Better refresh rates (LCD response times are more like 20ms+, not the 2ms or whatever crap that is advertised, and even 60Hz can't be properly displayed)
+ No ghosting
+ Better real contrast ratios
+ Zero lag
+ Better color accuracy
+ Blacker Blacks
+ Can run at lower resolutions without looking stupid
+ No discoloration with off-angle viewing
+ Most problems can be repaired easily, instead of having to throw it out to buy a new one
+ Requires less time to "warm up" (about 30 mins on CRTs, 1hr on LCDs)
= Heavy (moot point, because it's not like you're going to carry it around everywhere)
= Need to take time to adjust the image position and geometry for every resolution/refresh rate combo you want to use (moot point, because you only do this once)
- Needs space for it's ass
- Requires calibration every few years to keep the picture as good as possible
- Usually not as bright, therefore ambient light has a greater effect on perceived contrast