Loving the thread, Nathan.

I lost my records many years ago due to water damage from a flood, now it's pretty much all mp3 for me too. I miss sitting there just listening and reading the liner notes, flipping the LP. When I was 13 or 14, my brother and I would sneak off and take the train into Chicago for the day, visit Rolling Stone Records on Washington Street, and find all kinds of interesting records. I still remember some of the bootlegs..."Klashing with the Clash", "The Great White Boss (Springsteen)".

This inspires me to rebuild.

Where would you start your system? Any recommended mid-range turntable and amp that can be found today, say sub-$1000 to start?

Jim