I too echo with Mentholyptus. I also have a Kenwood 1000, and it is SIMPLE to operate. Ebay usualy have a few for sale at any given time. One you get it, (or any other good quality tabletop) get a simple 25" (minimum length) wire antenna (or just a wire), and try and qet it outside. If that's not possible, string it up along the ceiling, or near a window. Don't forget the ground wire! I use a simple, covered "bell wire" which goes from the radio to a COLD water pipe. (Note: NEVER attach a ground wire to a gas or hot water pipe)
Less effective, but usable, if a grounding rod or cold water pipe is not near you is to just run the wire on top of of the earth. It still makes a difference though.
The ground is very important. Without a ground, (from the radio) I had a S7 (high) constant noise floor. Once the ground was attached the noise floor dropped to a S3 to S4. It made quite a difference in spurious noise and you can pick put weaker stations, including pirates, out of the weeds.That's about it. Radio, antenna, ground wire. The whole process takes about 30 -40 minutes to set up, (depending on your surroundings) Add ons like a pre-selector, antenna tuner, etc., can come later. Aiming for simple right now is best. Some receivers to consider: Kenwood R-1000, or R-2000, Yaesu 7700, 8800, Panasonic RF-4900, Radio Shack DX-302. All have SSB capabilities. The Radio Shack RS DX-394 while highly popular, is OK but it has to be modified for optimum performance due to it's plastic case and other problematic features, (the RS-DX-394 B is a bit better than the model A).
Check with eham (Mentholyptus has a link in her post), on the left it will have a link, Reviews, click and go to: "General Receivers" (there's over 400 reviews) for an idea--try and get one with a higher rating. Read the reviews, there are no punches pulled here---the owners tell it like it is! The above listed radios have digital readouts which you may like and may be easier for you to use.
Also.... Don't forget to get a good set of headphones. Then you're cooking!
Good Luck! RCCI - ...Steve