No worries, I don't know how clued up I actually am, but I'll try !
I think there's very good sets on the market just now, depending on your preferences, but it's a constantly evolving market. If you wait a few months you'll get something better (maybe improved 1080/24 performance, LED backlighting etc.) or current sets cheaper, but that's always the way with any tech product.
I'd personally rather have a plasma than LCD. But that's very much personal preference. I just can't take LCD's current trade offs, but other people may dislike plasma trade offs more !
The console HD source market is fairly settled, so it's maybe safer buying them first ? I'm sure there'll be continued advances (such as the slim PS3) and continued price cuts, but you've gotta buy at some point ! The longer you wait the less use you're getting out of them. You can obviously use them just now with your CRT, and you'll have a good library by the time you buy your display.
I'd avoid buying a cheap LCD though, you could well end up with poorer image quality than you get from your CRT !