better ears than budget, so i would like to think

I am saving for a better audio system having recently been exposed to a very good system, I can hear how much mine is lacking. Here's what I'm working with:

AR11
Technics "el crapo" SA-AX540
Sony "el crapo maximo" CDP-CX53
Some sort of monster cable

What amp/ preamp / integrated would be a good mid-fi starter under $1000?

Nick