This or a similar question appears on the forum with regular frequency. It makes for good reading every time. I hear what you are saying. I agree that the majority of digital rigs, even ones that are quite expensive, struggle to produce the magic that seems to be unique to vinyl. It is possible to get engaging, non fatiguing sound from digital. It is more a case of careful equipment selection and system matching than how much you spend. I have a Modwright Sony HAPZ 1ES that makes beautiful music that I can listen to for hours. Tube selection is critical. It takes work. At the end of the day digital won't sound like vinyl, but it can be very satisfying with the right equipment.
How much do you need to spend to get digital to rival analog?
I have heard some very high end digital front ends and although they do sound very good, I never get the satisfaction that I do when i listen to analog regardless if its a"coloration" or whatever. I will listen to high end digital, and then I soon get bored, as if it just does not have the magic That I experience with a well set up analog system. So how much do I need to spend to say, " get a sound that at least equals or betters a 3K Turntable?