@height8 The Reserve beans are about as dark as I can stand. Maybe try going to a "third-wave" roastery and getting some light roast Brazilian beans — the few I've had show a curiously sweet grassy earthiness with very little cocoa. Brazilian also goes very well in the Aeropress — not too complex, so you don't risk muddling clarity by using immersion, and get the benefit of the AP brew's richness. It's good that you have a variable-temp kettle. Do you have scales?
Regarding the grinder, you seriously need an upgrade, else everything else will just be a waste of money. Baratza's grinders range from reasonable to quite expensive, and they're usually very highly recommended. I love the Lido grinders, but you have to be willing to put up with hand grinding.
// @indigo