Thanks hc sunshine! Your response suggests that I should look at putting the bulk of my dough into the turntable and pre amp.  I was a bit uncertain so this helps clarify.

I will keep an eye on these.  I've started to also look into used gear.  Perhaps I can stretch a few pennies that way, specifically in the amp and pre amp departments.

Any reccomendations on sites for used gear (in addition to eBay and audiogoN) are welcome.

Jason

Thanks jackfish.

I'm slowly weakening on my $1K limit.  At this point, I am looking at the following:

PSB Alpha B1 $300

NAD C 316 BEE $380

NAD PP3i $200 or Music Fidelity V-LPS II $190

Project Debut Carbon $400

So $1380, probably somewhere around $1500 by the time I buy cables and wire.  Stephan Mejias writes positively of the PSB Alpha B1, NAD 316 and PP3i.  The NAD would also allow me to play from my iPod.  As for the turntable, from what I read opinions abound.

I'm beginning to become a bit fatigued by the myriad commentaries/reviews on equipment with almost no hard data.  I feel as though every piece of equipment I look at has one review telling me that the equipment overperforms for its class, or is the best value in the price range, etc.  I suppose to a large degree so much of this is personal---how do one's ears hear the music?

I'm also a bit hesitant about spending $1.5K on all this equipment.  Of course, in the past I spent that much on computers and other 'toys', but this feels like a lot.  However, I used to love music and over the past 15 years that love has faded.  I really miss it from my life and I just can't get excited about a new iPod or downloading from iTunes or new CDs.  I spend all day in front of a computer; when I get home I want to be away from the computer and the internet.  (dear me, now I'm just rambling).  

Well, any additional thoughts are appreciated.