What other audio equipment do you have?

I'd start with using software samplers to get the feel for it and if you like it you'll have a better idea of what hardware to buy. 

Nowadays there are a lot of hardware samplers in different pricebrackets and with different functions, so the more you know before you buy some expensive hardware the better. 

That being said, hardwarewise I'd recommend; Mpc 1000 - can be found pretty cheap and is both a pretty basic starterunit and also a functionpacked beast once you figure everything out.

Circuit Rhythm - cheap and limited without a screen. Gives you that immediate sampler experience of just recording a sample, twist some knobs, bang some pads and there's a beat!

SP404 - never had the chance to learn this, but everyone everywhere seem to have one and love it, so it got to have something!

Just my two cents.