There is conversion of the analogue signal to digital in my system. I don’t find that to be a problem. In fact, it can be a big advantage due to a reduction in noise, distortion and interference.
Only you can tell if vinyl is for you. Some of us think it is glorious. I tried to live without it for a few years, but found streaming and CD rips just didn’t give me the same pleasure. As you have seen, others have quite jaundiced views of vinyl. In reality, there are both pros and cons. It’s a matter of personal taste and judgement.
There’s no getting away from the fact that it can get very expensive both in terms of gear and discs. However, it is possible to dip your toe in the water at fairly modest cost with a ProJect turntable for example. My two sons and daughter have done just that with great success.
You don’t need a huge collection of discs. How often do you think someone with over a thousand plays every disc in their collection? Better to enjoy a few discs. I started out with just a dozen a year ago. Of course, I have many more now, but I am still a listener not a collector.
I find vinyl is a different sort of listening. I still have streaming alongside it to explore new music. I buy the vinyl version of albums that I particular like for a deeper dive into them and a more immersive experience.