You could buy my ad500e, which has "meters" (a -12 and a +4(I think) light), and an optical out for your iriver or jb3. Throw a PS-2 for phantom power and some line transformers in there and you're good to go! Then you could add a better pre in there when your budget catches up.
Just a self-interested suggestion. SOMEONE BUY MY APOGEE SO I CAN GET AN SBM!!