confused and don't know what to do


We would like to buy a nice audio system and also have this double as a surround sound but listening to music is the priority. We have listened to many speakers but have settled on the B&W 804's. Now the challenge is to select a receiver and all the other accompaniments we require. We have a little challenge in that our home is a condo and the outside wall is all glass. The space is combined kitchen, living room, and dining room all open with hardwood floors and hard tile on the walls of the kitchen and a lot of granite counter tops. It seems that every where we go, the recommendations are different depending on what the store is selling and of course, the sales people would like us to buy the most expensive. What would give great sound without going crazy. We are thinking about 2 tribe sub woofers and space is limited and an in wall center B&W speaker but we don't know what we are doing and don't want to throw our money away. Help! Too many choices and we don't have enough knowledge. Thank you so much.
raw33
To tie onto what audiotroy said, you could use a good 5.1 and just a 2 channel amp to drive the 804's with the 5.1 in bypass/preamp mode as AT mentioned. That's the simple solution and there are plenty of options to make that happen. Downside is an amp requires air space and may not be a practical solution for you. Again, budget and space limitations are your primary considerations, then buying to create the best sound you possibly can.
Ok. Lot of opinions.
Really appreciate this great information! Thank you.
Is there something ...for dummies that would help us with the concepts involved in setting up one's home music listening area for dummies!
What a surprise, the guy with a Home Theater receiver to sell thinks they're just swell. Didn't see that one coming. Dealer willing to say anything just to make a sale. Never in a million years. Good thing everyone knows to trust the guy out to make a buck. 
millercarbon"What a surprise, the guy with a Home Theater receiver to sell thinks they're just swell. Didn't see that one coming. Dealer willing to say anything just to make a sale. Never in a million years. Good thing everyone knows to trust the guy out to make a buck."

That someone makes a profit within this industry does not inherently negate, disqualify, or render useless their advise, information, and counsell so provided an in demonstrated fact there are those who appear to not be connected to the industry for profit who's advise is at least as dubious, suspect, and biased they seem to have a need to be established, designated, and recognized as authorities and experts but I will not name names hear!