One way to start over for less than $1000 is to go with the Fatman - iTube - Stereo Integrated Amp w/iPod dock. You get a tube hybrid integrated amp with 13 watts per channel and an iPod dock. Audio Advisor has these on sale for $400 w/o speakers, and $500 with speakers. Add an iPod, a pair of small monitors (if you don't go with the "with speakers" choice that Fatman offers) of your choosing and/or a set of headphones, and you should have a MUCH better than average sounding iPod based system. Down the road when you finances improve, then the Fatman system would make great second system in a bedroom or office enviroment.
