Re: Measurement equipment for beginners?
There's Arta software as well, I keep a copy on my computer that I occasionally use as a reality check for what I'm seeing on Smaart 7.
ARTA Home
You could buy yourself Studio Six digital's Audio Tools with a few modules (including the single channel Smaart module) and either the iAudioInterface or iTestmic within the budget you have, a very handy tool, portable too!
Smaart DI is certainly an option worth exploring when it becomes available. You can buy a cheap USB interface and mic for around $200-300 if you look carefully enough.
Attending a Smaart class is an excellent investment even if you don't buy Smaart. The principles of measurement taught in the course apply to all dual channel FFT analyzers. $600 for 3 days well spent and give you a solid foundation for making sound system measurements.
For full disclosure, I do Smaart training here in Canada.
Welcome to the long winding journey to better sound!! 
