of either a receiver (tuner, preamp and power amp in one box), integrated amplifier (preamp and power amp in one box), or separate components of a preamp and power amp. Sometimes the phono preamp is incorporated into a reciever, integrated amp or preamp, or even the turntable itself. If not then a separate phono preamp is required.

The simplest route would be an integrated amplifier with a phono input.

The Music Hall A15.2 is a good solution at $500, but they may be hard to find as the company is transitioning to a new model.

http://www.insound.com/Music-Hall-A152-Integrated-Amp-Amp-Music-Hall/P/INS103751/

http://www.spearitsound.com/Integrated_Amplifiers-Music_Hall_A15.2.html

http://www.audiowaveshifi.com/musichall.htm?gclid=CJTnuo-f6LUCFQyg4Aod6HkASQ

http://www.tweekgeek.com/a15-2-integrated-amplifier/

I suggest that you look at the Harman-Kardon 3490 Stereo Receiver.

It is $420 at Amazon, and is a very good unit; a great value.

It has a built-in phono preamp and also a AM-FM tuner, plus a very good 120 watt per channel amplifier section.

You would probably have to spend $1000 or more to get an amplifier that sounds better.

If you are not going to have a subwoofer, I suggest that you get the Diamond 10.2 speakers; the 10.1 is pretty light on the bass end.

The Music Hall MMF-2.2 turntable is $450 complete, and I highly recommend it.

That whole setup should run well under $1500.

Ours is the Fury wrote:

Evening Gents

I'm attempting to build my first real set-up, and I could use some advice. I'm looking to buy a Rega RP1 for my turntable, and Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's for my speakers, but I'm a little lost in the whole amp/pre-amp department. Forgive my noobishness, but I gotta ask, do I need one, the other, or both? I've been perusing models and the forums but I'm still having difficulty grasping what I need and what is extra fluff (bearing in mind that I'm a poor student and looking to spend only $1500 or less on my set up). If you can overcome your exasperation with this oft-repeated question and fly some suggestions my way, I'd greatly appreciate it.

money and can often be found on sale for $300-350. $349 at J&R http://www.jr.com/harman-kardon/pe/HK_3490/

So I'm a Noob as well and went with the Harman Kardon, Music Hall MMF 2.2 and the Diamond 10.2 speakers. It sounded like a good steup and was within my price range. 

What else would I need to get it all hooked up and working as far as cables and wires go?

Sorry if that's a dumb question, this is the first time I'm setting up a system. 

Thank you