Total budget $2k for receiver & speakers.
Need Receiver and 5.1 only. House is already wired for 5.1
Large Room w/ vaulted ceilings.

Considering Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Harman Kardon for Receivers.

During brief visit to local electronics store, liked the sound of Bose, Infinity & Polk Audio speakers.

Thank you!!
PS: Yes, I've already searched. I was confused as it is and after reading through some of the threads, it caused even more confusion.
If this information already posted, a link would be greatly appreciated.

I have no idea if my recommendation is 'the best', but here goes:

I'd get the Marantz SR7001 AV receiver for $625 (w/shipping) refurbished (these are $1300 msrp new). I just purchased a new one for $900, and I absolutely love it. If you are strictly opposed to refurbished, you can get a brandnew Onkyo TXSR805 for just under $700 online right now at Amazon, but I had both in my house up until yesterday, and the Marantz just sounds better.

That leaves $1375 for speakers and a subwoofer.

I'd go with an Outlaw LFM-1 EX subwoofer for about $600 shipped right now since they are on sale. IMO this is probably the best 12" sub you can get for the money without going DIY. IF DIY is an option, get a Rythmik DS12 kit and build your own box. This will cost you about the same, but with much better performance. With a large room and vaulted ceilings, I wouldn't even look at less than a 12" sub.

This leaves $775 for 5 speakers.

There are many online Speaker companies that will fit this price range, but you cannot demo them without having to purchase them. Most offer good return policies, but you'll have to eat shipping each way. Axiom, Dana and AV123 are well respected on this forum, but I have not personally heard any of them.

Stay away from Bose, as they are way overpriced for what you get. I personally like Paradigm. I'd check to see if there is a local Paradigm dealer in your area who has a listening room for you to demo them in. Tell them you already have a subwoofer (theirs are overpriced) and ask what the best set is you can get for $775.

If your price range can move at all, use it on the speakers themselves. The sub and receiver I recommended are good enough to team up with some high end speakers.

Hope this helps.

I would also recommend checking out AV123's website, get an idea of what they offer, and then give them a call. They have some really great deals on Denon receivers when you purchase speakers from them.

Good luck with your decisions!

General rule of thumb: Spend most of it on speakers.

I'd get a receiver for $250 (an Onkyo or Denon) and $1750 on speakers. If you need more features (I doubt it) in a receiver, then adjust proportion accordingly. Quality over features I say. Go used on speakers (I got a set of $4800 speakers for $2200) at audiogon.com

I've been researching for 2-3 months now and just ordered my system.

Here is what I decided on:

Yamaha V1800
A6-6T6 Towers
A6-6T6 Center
A6-5T5 Surround
A5-350 Sub

With the 15% package discount from eD + free shipping and discount on the V1800 my package came out to roughly $2,200.

You can go with the Onkyo 805 and bring that total to 2K.