bass amp or pre amp, noob looking for advice

[kylej82]

I am looking to purchase a bass rig, money being a factor. I have recently been putting together a low budget home recording studio, mac book 2.43GHz running Logic Pro 8 and Tascam 1641(which I'll be upgrading asap). I am looking at an Ampeg svt 4 pro w/ Ampeg 6x10, I want to spend around $2500 for the whole rig, excluding mics or anything in the recording chain, that will work for a small studio as well as playing in any random venue. I know there are a lot of good pre amps that can do both, I just don't know which ones to look at, and I was unsure about the Ampeg's direct sound. I usually like fatter, rounder tone but also need something versatile for different projects. Any advice would be great.