What is the best gear to use as an assassin? I'm starting a new one and don't want to get leveled gear until later on. What armor, bow, and daggers are best? is the ancient shrouded armor all that good?

I belive the 'best' is full ancient shrouded armor with an enchanted deadric dagger (main hand) and Mehrunes Razor (offhand), though you really will only need the gloves (extra sneak attack damage) and the cowl (35% bow damage increase). I am not sure about the ring and the necklace.

Edit: I use the cowl and gloves, but the rest of my armor is Nightingale armor for looks.

Blade of woe/Merune's Razor

ancient shrouded armor for stealth plus Karlia's Bow

does the work for me

Depends on your type of character.

You don't want scaled armor until later???.....

You want the Assassin's Blade perk, and the dark brotherhood gloves (ancient or otherwise) simply so that it increases to x30. Use the Blade of Woe. Classified as a dagger, it is really more of a short sword doing base damage equal to a sword and has the attack speed of one. It also upgrades without an ingredient and you get the full upgrade potential based on BS skill.

One of those tree outfits you see in school plays.