This is long, so feel free to skip it as the ravings of an old 'shop teacher'.
I'll take the other side of the argument.
I've seen a lot of fine 'stuff' turned out on regular contractor saws. The Saw Stop is a nice TS, no doubt about it. Every time I go into my local Woodcraft store, I go over and fondle one of them. The Laguna bandsaw is getting jealous because I don't pay as much attention to her… But just starting out in wood working, and trying to fill a shop with decent tools, doesn't need to be an expensive proposition. It would be great to have an unlimited budget and only purchase the 'best of the best'. But most of us don't have that. Or shop space to put them in. And, as most things in life, things change. You might decide that your future plans, don't suit your new future. Trust me, if I had a deep wallet, I'd have a 40×60 shop filled with 3 phase Oliver, Powermatic, and (old) Delta power tools. Because that's what I learned on. And that's what were in the school shop I taught in. They were great tools, made for the 'long haul'. But way beyond the level of the 9th graders I was teaching. In other words: They were under/never used to the extent of their accuracy/capabilities.
Where do you plan to 'set up shop'? Garage? Shed? Basement? Pole barn? You're going to have to factor in dust collection as another expense. Saws make lots of, well…, saw dust. You probably have noticed that with your miter saw and circular saw. Start breaking down a few sheets of 4×8 plywood, and you'll get an idea of how much visual and minute dust this creates. Do some particle board or MDF, and you'll soon be on the most hated list… Sanding is worse (lot's of fine dust). Trust me, I work in my basement. I know all about saw dust getting everywhere…
I own, probably the most controversial (and hated) table saw on the internet: 10" flexdrive Craftsman. It has a splitter as opposed to a riving knife. But that's only when you have the guard attached. I can't recall the last time I had any sort of problem with it not having a riving knife. I've never had a serious kickback either. And I've owned it for a good 30 years. It's build a lot of household 'things'. I've never had an issue with it. Can it build fine furniture? Never tried (above my pay grade). Can it rip 3' of 3" oak or maple without a problem? Not a chance. Can it make nice stuff? Yes. Same for my Craftsman jointer and hand me down Craftsman radial arm saw. My Craftsman router and circular saw have also seen lots of work. Back 'in the day', I built a few waterbed frames (I said I was old…) with only my circular saw. No way in heck, are any of these 'top of the line' tools. But when set up properly, with the correct and sharp blades, and used correctly, they will do fine. Remember this: Tools don't make the craftsman, skill (and experience - which includes listen to others) makes a craftsman. Good tools, especially power tools, only help make it easier. And there are lot's of people building very nice furniture using only hand tools. Quite a few on this forum for that matter.
Speaking of hand tools, you don't list any. Do you have a hand plane? You need one (or several). I'd recommend a Jack plane and block plane to start. They'll give you a good foundation to work on. My old Stanley 'Handyman' has done a lot of work for me. As has my Buck block plane. Both cheap planes that the 'snobs' will turn their noses up at… But both of them have solved a lot of homeowner problems for me. How about chisels? You need them too. Getting started with some hand planes and chisels will teach you the importance of knowing how to sharpen 'stuff'.
Another Rant: The safest tool in the world, is never as good as the dumbest operator. I've seen, and heard of, lots of injuries from simple tools like screwdrivers and chisels. And I don't even want to get into all the bad things that can happen with utility knives or air nailers…
Proper use: I have a nice scar from trying to rip a too small (and thin) piece of stock (jewelry box drawer part) on a 14" table saw. Dumb. Wrong operation for that tool. I should have known better. I should have went over to the bandsaw instead. But I didn't. Ever tried riding a 1970 Triumph Bonneville, three miles, to the ER, with a bleeding middle finger, on your right hand, wrapped in a paper towel? I did. Not fun…. Lesson learned, and I still have use of my full finger. And I now ride a Harley… But I digress… Would a modern Saw Stop have prevented the injury? Probably. But this was back in 1976. Proper technique and proper utilization of available tools, would have also prevented it. There was a thing called 'common sense' back then. And I ignored it. From that point on, I am vigilant about proper technique, and using the proper tool for the operation.
If you want to order new 'stuff', go on the Grizzly website and take a look at what they offer. For what you are thinking about spending on that Saw Stop, you could probably get two or three good power tools. You want to even stock a few more? I've been fairly impressed with my 14" Harbor Freight bandsaw and 17" drill press. In my area, most of the used tools are absurdly over priced. And trust me, I look all the time 'for deals'.
Rant over…