OP,
I think it is appropriate you are reticent at committing to vinyl. I have have had it for fifty years… if I was committing to a great system now I wouldn’t bother. If I loved the idea fiddling with physical stuff and the tradition, then I would. I do not like getting up every 15 minutes… and the older I get the less I like it.
From what you have said… I think go digital only. So, you would need a WC streamer , DAC, preamp, amp, and speakers. This is the path to the future. I can’t imagine vinyl has much of a future now that finally digital can match analog. Except for folks that love to play with vinyl.
In general, some room treatments are unlikely to be a waste. Buying an amp before you commit to speakers and a preamp I think would be be a mistake.