Ultegra open pro wheelset ($300)
8 speed cassette ($30)
10 speed veloce ergos ($110 from across the pond)
polish up a 6500 ultegra RD ($40 on the bay)
add your choice of attractive cranks, BB, and FD (which you probably already have)
SRAM 830 chain ($20)

At best your fiddling might be limited to having to file in some ramps on your big ring if you're one of those impatient types like I am...

Got an attractive 7 speed cassette wheelset lying around, then swap out the veloce brifters for athena ones, and do an 8 of 9 on 7 setup, shortening a 9 speed cassette.