Separate Components

Let's see. For a brand new Preamp cheap, the best deal is the Cambridge Audio C500 $259. For $59 more you can add a decent phono stage to it. I would pair it with a better amp than Cambridge's P500. The rest you could go with used.(?)
A Conrad Johson PV-10 Tube Preamp with a MF2100 Solid State Amp is a great combination about $1200 used. If you do not want used, Northampton Audio(SpearitSound.com) have new/factory refurbished/warranted ones for $1800 for both.
If you do not like tubes, you could substitute a PF2 Preamp for $2000 total ($1300 used). CJ also had the Sonographe line that is great for beginners or those on a budget. A SC26 Preamp SA250 Amp combo will cost you used about $1000. Bryston already mentioned also makes some nice separates that are not too expensive. If are willing to try tubes, also look at the Anthem line by Sonic Frontiers.

You want some sort of high end audio so you dont keep buying and selling. Buy the classe intergrated amp used on the net for about 1,000 and a pair of martin logan aerius i used for 1,100 and a classe cd player cdp1.5 for about 1,100 and buy Harmonic technologies for cables. It is also important if you do listen to metal then you dont want martin logans. If you listen to anything else that will be a great starter system that you can build from. You can always add an amplifier to that system. that system would have a very warm and sweet sound I am not sure if thats the sound you want? Let me know I have many other combinations. GIVE US A BUDGET YOU NEED TO STAY UNDER.

Hi Johnny, I second the proposed combos above *AND* chas' & Lev's quest for more info... we're a bit in the dark (no pun intended).
Cheers!

Check out AMC's homepage (www.amchome.com) and go to the refurbished page. The have the 1100 solid-state pre-amp for $150 ($220 new) which I own and is a very transparent pre-amp for the money. They also have a solid-state amp for around $250 ($500 new, 100W/ch I think) that I haven't audiotioned, but if it's like the pre-amp then it probably sounds damn good. The units are refurbished but I feel their products are overlooked for sound quality and value. They also have some tube gear. If not AMC, then check out some NAD or Rotel gear. I'm a student, so this kind of equipment is pretty expensive for me, but the value can't be beat if you're on a tight budget.

If you do not mind shopping exclusively on the net, you can find a very good "new" system of separates for about $2000.

I would recommend the Odyssey Stratos as the Power Amp ($995 to $1295 depending on options) and the Morrison Elad as the Pre-amp ($820 including shipping). Both have received very positive reviews and seem to be the trendsetters in the value for the dollar audio camp.