Studio Monitors and the Amp to go with them

High-Quality Headphones and the Amp to go with them

A device to help monitor and switch your signals

A device to help VISUALLY monitor your signals

once that is sorted ... then look to the other stuff
the NS10's are OK but I think you should have a second option as well

I would agree on the monitor front. I own a pair of Dynaudio BM6A's ($1400-1500 on Ebay) and I am very happy. Genelec 1031A's ($2000-$2200 on Ebay) are fairly standard in the studio world. Check around the forums and then go out and listen BEFORE buying.

As far as headphones are concerned I would stick within the realm of Sennheisers or AKG's - try to determine your needs - will you need isolation? If so make sure you buy a close design VS open or Semi open - When I first started I bought a couple of AKG KS240's which are great headphones but not ideal for the applications I needed. As a drummer I ended up buying Remote Audio HN7506's which I love but most people can't stand (very tight fitting). I don't believe you need to spend a lot of money on headphone systems especially if you are recording by yourself - you will have a tonne of options if you budget about $200

Mic Pres - depends on what you are recording and how much flexibility you might want. If you are recoriding to a DAW and recording a lot of direct Electronic instruments I would take a look at some nice tube amps to 'warm' things up a bit. A Universal 2-610 is great stereo mic pre. Avalon is nice as well. Cucco is a big fan of 2BA-221 by Summit and although I have never used one I like the concept enough that I would be apt to try one in your situation. The unit gives you a choice between Solid State and Tube settings and they are priced right ($400 - $500 on Ebay). You may also want to consider a Brick (Groove Tubes) as well, this is a really high value, tube based mic pre for under $400. In a perfect world starting out I would look for a stereo pair Tube amp (like the 2-610) and a stereo pair of clean pre amp channels (like a Grace 201) but that would outstrip your budget.

If you are recording vocals I would also consider a good tube based condensor vocal mic. In your price range I would consider; Charter Oak (newer company outstadning mics), Neumann M147 (you can find great deals of these on Ebay) and Rode Classic II (I love this mic - you can find them on Ebay for about $1100 to $1300). You may also want to consider a couple of extra dynamic mics as well, I would be most apt to start with an MD-421, which can be used on anything from Guitars, to bass to drums. Once you have decided on some mics make sure you audition them first.

Metering - use your ears and your DAW. I think they are unneccesary.

If they were my ears, which they are not, I would try / buy the following;

BM6A's - $1600
Charter Oak SA538 - $1000
Headphones (depending on your needs) - Open Design KS240, Closed Design Sennheiser HD280 (Budget $89/can)
Mic Pre's (assuming they were as good as CUCCO says) Summit Audio 2BA-221 x 2 ($1100)
Sennheiser MD421 ($279)
That still give you a little dough for some extras, I would reccomend a UAD card which has some great plugs. Hope that helps, Cheers!