Having recently re-discovered the delights of vinyl recordings over digital, I bought myself a turntable. A Denon DP29F. I haven't had LP's in 20 years so I am completely out of touch. At the moment I have a Micro Sony thing which is barely adequate.

Yesterday in Best Buy I re-aquainted myself with their hopeless Geek Squad who know absolutely NOTHING on the subject. So I would maybe like to return and bamboozle them completely with superior knowledge. Also I visited a Source store (formerly Radio Shack) and was met with blank looks at the word Amplifier. Where do they get their staff?

Now I need a hint or three as to which (affordable) Amp or Receiver to purchase. In my day Pioneer or Marantz was "the thing" nowadays they seem non existent.

I would like an Amp which I can connect my turntable to (it has a built in preamp apparently) but also a USB stick for MP3's if possible.

Also Speakers - in days of yore Wharfedale were the ones to get but what now?

I look forward oto any suggestions.

Pricing? In the region of no more than $300 for speakers and $400 for an Amp/receiver.