Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Assuming your goal is to gain knowledge about operating systems
Try arch but without kde, gnome, xfce, lxqt... make your own DE, based on a WM of your choice. That way you'll gain lods of knowledge about how an OS interacts with the user and which applications do what.
After that, you would have to go for LFS or Tannenbaums Modern Operating Systems
I'm pretty sure that runs way opposite to OP's stated goal of "don't have me compiling everything"
Not on Arch it doesn't. Almost all window managers have a package somewhere. There will be a lot of configuring, but no compiling.
LFS and Gentoo, you have to compile, sure... but Arch? You don't compile the kernel on vanilla Arch, if you mean packages, then just get the *-bin versions.
Edit: misunderstood your post. What's wrong with Arch and Arch-based distros?
I phrased that wrong, I just edited it to reflect what I wanted to say.
Opensuse Tumbleweed
I have to shamelessly plug for Arch Linux here. I think Arch would be a great way to get into the more advanced side of Linux without quite delving into the complexities of LFS.