Just Starting..Budgeting up to 1K for next upgrade

Last august I realized that my stereo just wasn't performing in an acceptable way. I had an Ipod connected to Yamaha Natural sound best buy RX 5.1 model- Some Bose 301s from 1996 and a Yamaha DVD/CD player.

So i decided to make a move to vinyl..figured I'd start from the source and build out. I bought a rega P2. But I couldn't enjoy it on those beat up speakers so I hastily bought a pair of used Epos ELS 3 for $400. I say hastily because i didn't do much leg work just wanted to replace the old speakers. That said, I am pretty happy with the ELS 3.

So now I've budgeted up to 1K for a new amp (or possibly a different upgrade, if it will make my system sound better). I am slowing accepting that 1K puts you in the budget catagory, but its still a hefty hunk of scratch on my budget- I have a couple months to do some good research and don't want to make any impulse purchase.

So I'm debating staying in the REGA family for simplicity sake but would love some input as to other amps in this price range.. I am of the mind that a two channel amp is better then an equally priced multichannel, and I have no desire for surround sound for video.but again I'm new to this and overwhelmed by all the information. I like pure, clean sound and intend to primarily play vinyl on the system.

Aside from good sound I also love good value and want to plug it all in and say damn that sounds good, as opposed to damn..gotta start saving again.

Any advice on how to best spend this 1K would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
ap