This sounds pretty elitist. I know a bunch of people who have gotten into vinyl in the last say five years on tiny budgets. Rega turntables and the new Technics DD. They love them. They don't own many LPs. They are having fun.
I understand that WBF is about what's best, but these friends would think a budget of $40K is ludicrous. Jeffrey_T just got a refurbished Gerrard 401, nice plinth, 3012R, an Ortofon SPU, a Lamm phono, stock phono cable and is THRILLED with the sound. He prefers this source to his much more expensive Ascona table. Through in a record cleaning machine, and have a friend teach you about set up and you are there. Now he has thousands of LPs, but searching for them and buying and collecting them is part of the fun. Jeff's all in vinyl source cost is well below $40K so there is money left over for LPs. One can buy high quality, great value on the used market.
I think the OP asks a good question and I have enjoyed the responses. There is no right answer for everyone. JM1911 has some good information to consider. The answer will reside in his exposure to good vinyl sound. He will then know if the reward is worth the considerble effort people are describing. This is why I think this is one of the most personal hobbies around. There are so many ways to approach it. Only the individual truly knows what is right for him, or he learns it over time. Choices often involve risks. Can't think of it on a cost per LP or listen basis. Ron and Jeff occupy different ends of the spectrum here on WBF, IMO, both in terms of numbers of LPs and cost of their vinyl front ends and that ratio, and yet they both enjoy vinyl tremendously.