Would you still pay $10k or more for a turntable not full analog front end these days ?

I don't understand the controversy. Once the stream is picked up by the end device, it still has to traverse the output stage of the streamer in the home system.  There is where one streamer can sound better than or surely different from another streamer.  What's the problem?

@lewm isn't the cable from the streamer deliver the stream to the DAC? like 1s and 0s? 

"My point is simply that more expensive streamers can and do sound much better than a $2k streamer"
Th cost of an item does not mean it sounds better. However Aurender, Grimm, etc certainly sound far better than an el cheapo streamer. Just listen.

Would you still pay $10k or more for a turntable not full analog front end these days ?

Assuming the question was turntable only, yes. Probably the Technics  SL-1000RE-S. Plus a new cart and phono stage. A few things need to align to make that happen, but that's my goal.

Note that you can't in good conscience enjoy BOTH analog and digital. Nope...you gotta take a stand! I happen to very much enjoy my trusty old Linn/Akito/Ortofon MC analog, my new-ish Cd player, and streaming. Am I enjoying things too much? Am I ignoring the hallowed opinions of the golden eared "experts?" Yes, and yes.