I have all of the EC reprints. Love 'em. However, nothing-absolutely nothing-can come close to the feel of opening up a 63 year comic, having the sensory experience of the smell, the feel of the paper, and knowing that others also have enjoyed it over the years.
As a side note, I'm not against slabbing, but I've never sent a book in. I own a few CGC books, mostly higher grade or pedigree books, but I can honestly say that I have read every unslabbed comic book that I've ever owned. And it's awesome.