It depends upon what you mean by get your feet wet. If you want to learn how to operate a more robust router they might be just the nuts. If you want to learn some of the technology behind these machines then they are a bigger waste of money. I'm assuming you have some interest in the technology because you are in a DIY forum.
So nail down what you mean by getting your feet wet and more importantly nail down what you want out the machine capacity wise. You mentioned various work areas but that is unfocused in my opinion. Better to formulate a plan around a machine that you know will do what you want. Bigger does increase you expenses considerably so be aware of that.
As far as learning the technology behind the machines you can start out real cheap with an Arduino, a few stepper drivers and some salvaged stepper motors. You can find many of these parts in old printers.
That is understandable to an extent, but a pile of parts from a kit isn't much different than a pile of parts for your own design. The problem with kits is the required mark up on components to cover the cost of running a company to make those parts. CNC routers are one of the few machines that one can easily build and beat the commercial machines on pricing. Very few people build table saws for example because it is really hard to produce one that is better than the commercial machines and also cheaper. CNC routers are in a niche where not only is it possible to DIY you can often get better value for your money.
Going DIY does require a bit of a shop to begin with though. This is probably why kits are so successful, it is cheaper to buy a kit rather than to buy the machinery to make everything you need. You need to consider what you have available to yourself as far as machine tool building equipment goes.