Hey folks,

I've got a turntable, I've got vinyls, and I've got ears. The first item I'm hunting down for my new HiFi system is an amplifier; perhaps integrated with preamp, DAC, etc.

Some details:

1) Source: Vinyl records -- via Audio Technica AT-PL120 turntable. It has the option of both line out and phono out, but given that the turntable itself is only a few hundred bucks brand new, I don't think that its built-in preamp is any good.

2) Budget: $1000-$1500 (for preamp+amp or single integrated amp)

3) Desired volume: I don't ever plan on taking this thing to 11 except for demos to the curious lady-friend (). I'll be listening to my vinyls in a single square room, about 15'x15', with the typical furniture in there -- a bed, a desk, a coat rack. Long-term, I don't plan on having my hifi system in a room much different than this (until I make my first million, at least).

4) I own a pair of powered Behringer TRUTH B-2030A monitors that I purchased for recording purposes a few years ago. Still in top shape as far as I can tell. These may be the speakers I want to use with my shiny new amp, though I don't know just yet. Speakers are another story.

5) Other need-to-knows (from the thread above):
-This system will be dedicated to playing vinyls. That said, I am holding out for the possibility of having a DAC inside (integrated amps, anyone?) so I can hook up my computer or iPod and play music from my much larger digital library, but I don't want to make any sacrifices in sound quality just to get both vinyls and digital music to sound good -- I'm optimizing for my vinyls!
-I love tubes. I think.

The wealth of information from Google searches is... well, overwhelming. What's a good starting point? Who sells good stuff? Anybody know of places in LA where I can bring a few records and actually listen to the thing on which I'll be blowing $1500?

-m