What am I missing?

For those who feel the need to own the music vs renting/leasing whatever you want to call it. I already own far more physical media than I can play, I derive virtually no value from physical media I no longer play due to new listening preferences, tons of my vinyl and all cd's in storage with difficult access to. Since my listening preferences constantly changing and evolving, at least some music becomes obsolete, don't need or want more obsolete possessions, already far too much of that.

The other thing I love with streaming is the ability to access my music via smartphone at workplace and in car. Long trips made far more pleasurable with this.

The problem with streaming is that the particular mastering of a particular recording may not be the best, and there seems to be no attempt by the various services to seek out the best mastering.  Even high resolution masters can be crappy versions.  While it is true that many CDs being offered these days are truly crappy, one can, if so inclined, seek out better versions to purchase.  

@larryi That may be true in some cases, but for artists with larger catalogs there are generally many versions of same recording to choose from.  Very rare case when I can't find at least decent sound quality from one of the available versions. I do have both Tidal and Qobuz. Also, both Tidal and Qobuz constantly adding to titles available.

With most newer or more obscure artists multiple masters not available either via physical or streaming media.

This really isn't about what's better. It's about 'experience'.

This is why LPs are still around. This is why my mixed tapes, CDs,tubes and reel-to-reel are still around. 

People want the experience. If it's streaming...great. If it's ownership...also great. Streaming popularity will drop the price of LPs and CDs and that's a good thing too.

Some people actually like ownership. This will happen to real estate. Why own a single property when you can subscribe to many more. To each her own.

@clearthinker said: "No.  Not more than ever.  in the 50s 60s 70s everyone had a vinyl player and vinyl.  But certainly the most since CDs got embedded in the late 80s."

Of course you are correct. In absolute numbers the vinyl market today is niche. I guess my point was the potential customer seems to have far more options in the variety of tables, arms and cartridges than I remember from the '60s and '70s and in that sense, we have it good (albeit at a price). 

Thanks for the comment.

Bill