Budget system around 1K

Obviously s/hand will help a lot. Maggie 1.6 or earlier/Celestion sl6se SL600si or sl700si are wonderful. Certain B&W speakers, older Quad floorstanding cone speakers (not the electrostatics simply due to budget), Midrange magic. Totems tighter better bass, and perhaps a bit less magic.

NAD electronics very solid. good luck and pls keep us posted.

I believe the Rega Brio comes with a phono stage and for the $ is quite highly thought of. Epos speakers would also be a good match. Consider budgeting some $ for cables as well.

Onkyo A-9555, Vienna Haydn Grand.

A Rega Brio 3 would be a great option. It's a great little amp, and, while I haven't heard the phono stage myself, it's supposed to be excellent. Speakers are a personal choice, of course, but many people swear by all-Rega systems as excellent value for money, and the R1s are great and very unfussy about placement. Totem are also said to be a nice match with Rega electronics. A used pair of Dreamcatchers would fit your budget. If it were me, I'd keep my eyes open for a pair of Snell Ks or K/IIs or Audio Note AX-2s. I have an original Rega Brio and Snell K/IIs in my office (which together cost me $400 used), and it's a great setup.

Rega Brio 3 and R1 speaks would be great and well within budget. I am with you and the iPod thing.....however, I finally researched a lot and ended up with an iPod Nano 5th generation which sounds best of the lot in many people's opinions.