screen size will be between 46" and 56" and will be in a basement where there is some control of ambient light.
Can you fit in a 58"? This 58" Panny is $2,499 atm, and Costco is perhaps my most recommended vendor, because of their ridiculous CS. They extend warranties to two years, for free, as well.
Price includes shipping and handling.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11310781&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
the newer G10 series are supposed to be a serious bang for buck value. The 54" will
retail at $2,200. The savings should be applied to a bluray player, and ISF calibration, IMO.
Falling under budget are some Pioneers, and I think of models like the 5020, but they are all completely sold out as far as I can tell.
So yes! My advice, in order of importance,
1. Plasma definitely.
2. Biggest you can possibly fit.
3. Then the finest quality you can afford at the size.
4. Add bluray player. (May I recommend Panasonic?... or Oppo if you have double the bdp budget).
5. Professional calibration after using your set for a few months. YMMV, especially depending on the TV you buy (some are much more tweakable than others).