$1500 for a whole system, budding audiophile

I go the opposite of most people and put more into the electronics and less into the speakers. You can get awesome speakers for not a lot of money. I bought an $1200 pair of Celestion C100's for $200 in the past and have gotten other great deals on speakers. $400 for spkrs, $5-600 for int tube amp, $200 for 24 bit DVD player as cd player, $400 on TT

Used Peachtree Decco or Nova + Triangle Titus speakers (used) + subwoofer of your choice (if needed) and still maybe some money left for whatever else.

+1 on the MuFi on clearance:

M1 CliC and M1 PWR Bundle $999.00
Sony BDPS790 Blu-Ray $248.00
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Speakers $127.00
Bulk AQ speaker cable & ICs $100.00

If you can go a bit over substitute these for
the Pioneer Speakers. B&W 685: $650.00

I took the same approach as you when I put together my first system when I was just out of school. I went with a Denon AV 2803 Receiver with NHT Classic 3 Speakers. If you can find a clean Denon 2807 for about $165.00 that route might also be something to consider.

I love this thread. Budget audiophilia, oh things you can think of and play with. Takes me back to when i was a kid.
I recently did a little system to see what i could build on a similar budget, for a study. Taking into account some Monitor Audio Radius 270 floor standers i already had in my garage I added to them to build my system. I bought these speakers on clearance a few years ago for $350 (they were about $1000retail before that). I also had a 720 monitor Audio radius subwoofer with them that i added. Cost $200.
I added a Krell kav-300i that i picked up in excellent condition off ebay for $800
I then won an auction on a near perfect condition Marantz NA-7004 network player for $280 this was $800 new then had a price drop to$499 and provides excellent warm sound to the bright krell and monitor audio combo.

So I ended just over $1600 but it is a very nice little, stylish and compact system with great detail and better than average sound.

I would probably swap out the speakers one day but I. wouldn't know what would sound best or what to get yet.

a good reciever like a Yamaha or Onkyo, JBL Studio L890 floorstanders, Onkyo C-7030 cd player...that leaves a turntable and cart. I guess go for the Audio Technica. That's what I would pick with that kind of money.