I suggest that a great, affordable home theater (with very good audio characteristics) is as follows:
Parasound AVC 1800 - pre
Parasound HCA1205a - 5.1 amp
NAD T550, T571 or T572 DVD/CD (I have t550, buying t572)
B&W N805s front left, right
B&W HTM2 center
B&W ASW 1000 sub, and
B&W Matrix 805 rear left, right
Sony t60 sat receiver with tivo
I can't say that I have the most sensitive ear, but I like it and have not heard any complaints from my guests
