50% of U.S. vinyl buyers don't own a record player

Physical Media as Identity and Support

• Many buyers treat vinyl as a “token of identity” or a way to support artists rather than an audio format.
• People often buy records (and sometimes tickets they gift away) specifically to send money to artists who earn little from streaming.
• Some prefer direct donations, “pay what you want” digital sales, or Bandcamp Fridays, arguing this is less wasteful than manufacturing unused objects.
• Others see vinyl as comparable to shirts/posters: merch that also happens to contain the music.

Intentional Listening, Ritual, and Aesthetics

• Several commenters emphasize vinyl as a ritual: choosing an album, handling it carefully, sitting with liner notes and artwork, listening end-to-end.
• Records and large covers are used as wall art and personal “relics” that express taste, even if never played.
• Some explicitly buy vinyl they can’t play, valuing the object, cover art, or sentimental meaning (e.g., wedding songs) over playback.

Streaming, Discovery, and Ownership

• The OP and others argue streaming’s abundance makes it hard to build a meaningful “library”; friction (buying/hunting) yields better-curated collections.
• Some users are rebuilding physical libraries (CDs, DVDs, vinyl) to regain control/ownership after years of streaming.
• Others reject physical media as clutter and rely entirely on digital files or streaming, but miss older forms of discovery (record shops, word-of-mouth).

Generational Dynamics and Nostalgia

• Multiple anecdotes about Gen Z requesting record players, decorating rooms with albums, and seeking “analog” experiences despite streaming.
• Older commenters describe cycles: ditching physical media, then partially returning for focus and nostalgia.

Competing Formats: CDs, Cassettes, Minidisc

• Long subthreads debate sound quality: many claim CDs are technically superior and easier to archive; vinyl is defended as a different “flavor” and experience.
• Some champion cassettes or minidiscs for their UX (resume position, easy recording) despite lower fidelity.
• There’s mild speculation about a CD resurgence and other “retro” media.

Environmental and Consumerism Concerns

• Critics call unused vinyl “cargo cult” consumption, e-waste, or peak consumerism; supporters counter that cherished artifacts aren’t really waste.
• Those inside the pressing business note large plastic use and mixed feelings, but say vinyl is the only physical format that reliably sells.