I’ve realized/decided that I love the vibes.
Who are the great players? What are the canonical albums/tunes?
Could I buy a used set and teach myself to play them?
I’d start with Lionel Hampton, but I’m not an expert, just an enthusiast.
For Vibes in a big band context Lionel Hampton is the man. Also check out Milt Jackson, on any Modern Jazz Quartet recordings and Bobby Hutcherson for more modern approaches. As for playing yourself, I can’t see any major problems problems with that, although most of the vibes players I know and know of also play keys pretty well, so keyboard knowledge would be an advantage.
Gary Burton. Try Like Minds for a taste.
:smack: Knew there was someone I was forgetting. Definitely check out Gary Burton. He probably has the most advanced harmonic approach on vibes.
And WHERE can you get a used set!?!? I looked on Ebay and only found two, both in like Rhode Island or something. 
My husband can play and wants a set of vibes; I think the going price is about $4000. I also haven’t seen any in our area, even looking as far as San Francisco to Seattle’s craigslists.
Gary Burton had a show on HDNet not too long ago. Maybe it will get rerun soon. Keep an eye out for it.
Other greats not yet mentioned:
Cal Tjader – mostly Latin flavored things
Red Norvo – one of the early pioneers on the instrument
Bobby Hutcherson
Victor Feldman
Of active players, Gary Burton probably has the biggest name.
The name that immediately comes to mind (for me) when you say “vibes” is either Milt Jackson or Lionel Hampton. However I associate the sound of the instrument, regardless of who was or is playing it, with the George Shearing quintet. That group had unison piano, electric guitar and vibes in a group sound that was unmistakably cool.
A more recent arrival (mid-late 90s maybe): Stefon Harris.
Don’t forget Roy Ayers either. More in the jazz/soul fusion vein, but he’s a damned good player. I’d suggest his early work in the 1970s, which is more jazz-based than his recent stuff.
As for learning to play, I can only offer an anecdote: I was playing piano in a vibes/piano/bass/drums jazz quartet at a gig, and for an impromptu joke we suddenly swapped places; I got the vibes (so to speak). OK, so I’m a pianist, but all the same, the vibes were surprisingly easy to play, and I got the feeling that they’re an instrument that looks harder to play than it actually is.
I’ll second all the other recommendations, especially Milt Jackson, my favourite.
I’m sorry, Fast ‘n’ Bulbous, but I didn’t notice your mention of Bobby Hutcherson until after the edit window had closed.
And, Key Lime Guy, if you haven’t already found Mallet Jazz in your searching, check it out, especially the Online Lessons Page which I found to be helpful even though guitar is my main instrument – although I’m just a beginner at it.
Second the terrific Cal Tjader (and Hampton & Jackson are musts).
I don’t know what he’s recorded, but I saw a live set by Jason Marsalis (the youngest of the Marsalis brothers) and he was quite good.
Although not on the tip of every jazz fan’s tongue, Nashville-based Jerry Tachoir (tash-wah) is a competent player who’s made some records, and is heard fairly regularly on WMOT due to his Tennessee connections.
In addition to the names already mentioned, Terry Gibbs deserves some consideration.
I’m not familiar with all their music, but the song “Percolations” by Gong has always been a personal favorite.
And if you have a good set of speakers, people will swoon.