Emailing Platform

I need emailing platform with relatively cheap monthly subscription (around $50-$80/mo) and it should support CSV fields on email list import. I mean I would like to import more custom fields per each subscriber, not only email address (I like mail*jet really much but it doesn't support this feature currently).

Need your advice on services you're using and can recommend it..

why not get a smtp server setup instead?

Because I won't deal with many additional and unneeded problems using VPS and own IP setup.

Is this gonna be a one time ordeal or do you plan on doing periodic blasts?

If periodic, then you probably should consider mastering VPS and IP setups as you call it.