I'm an audiophile with millionaire taste but a thousandarie budget.
I picked up a Pioneer elite receivers and I'm very happy with it.
It also had a bazillion inputs/outputs and would serve you well into the future.
I got the seven channel 100 watt version for $600 off evilbay, more than you want to pay but it is a small price to pay for a level of overkill that guarantees your receivers will be able to handle anything you can throw at it.
Here is a similar Pioneer for $313
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Pioneer%20VSX-1017TXV-K:1995017704
Or what I got for $589, This thing will blow your mind!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Elite-VSX-01TXH-7-1-Receiver-VSX01TXH-New_W0QQitemZ400021635936QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceiv ers_Tuners?hash=item400021635936&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50