$1500 for a whole system, budding audiophile

I would put 400 into a used amp like a nad 3020, put 1200 into speakers like tekton lore or golden ear, then I second the idea of the schitt dac for 100 assuming you have a computer. There are many other ideas but I think putting as much as possible of your budget into speakers is the best way to go.

Personally if I started over for that dollar amount I would purchase:

Musical Paradise MP-301 mkIII - $400
Tekton Mini-Lores $650
Emotiva XDA-2 DAC - $250

That leaves about $200 to spend on your choice of budget cables...

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.