Why are so many people spending so much money to build “perfect” streaming system?

I'm out of touch as well...

I have 95% of the physical media (LP's CD's) in hand that I wish to listen to.

If I find something that I like (but do not own) I simply purchase it on CD/LP.

I've experienced a multitude a "digital/computer" disasters since I first started using them in the 1980's - not so with my physical media.

As far as improving streaming goes (in my situation) I take 25 mg of Zinc daily and it seems to help.

This said, I do not care for most/all of the "new" music I sample from (basically) Youtube - so this does factor in on my take.

DeKay

Another point, are you still listening to 78 records or have you upgraded to 33 1/3? Also, there’s these new things called CD’s that I hear sound better then records. You do have to buy new equipment. Streaming is just a new way to listen and the cost can be very a reasonable few hundred dollars. Or you can spend $10K on up, it’s really up to you. 

+1, @deadhead1000 on Bluesound Node recommendation, a de-facto standard for many physical media hard core aficionados. 

“Why are so many people spending so much money to build “perfect” streaming system?”

Are they? Or is that the pitch? 

To have access to a million vinyl collection without having actually having millions of vinyl. That smooth analog sound in streaming is difficult to achieve without dropping jewels.