Novice here with questions

I would throw in some caution about the Magnepan recommendations. I've had Maggies for a very long time (MGIIAs, now 1.6s) and they do want power. I use an ARC 150.2 which is rated at 150 watts/channel into 8 ohms, doubled down to 300 watts/channel at the Maggie's 4 ohm rating. As you can tell from my history, I love Maggies, but given your budget, you would have to be careful about finding an amp that can deliver enough current (i.e. doubling down is very important, a lot of amps won't do it.) IMHO, given your budget, you might do better with some reasonably high efficiency full-range box speakers (I'm hesitant to go for mini-monitors because your room is large.

Whatever you do, buy name-brand interconnects!! Using the OEMs is literally diluting your music - they are a disaster. Participate in one of the Agon ic auctions or buy the bottom-tier Kimber ics. It will be the best $50 you spend on your audio system.

BTW, I love the Magnepan recommendation but they require good upstream components. A receiver would probably not do.

Magnepans driven by a NAD intergrated or receiver rated at 100 w will do the job. If you buy used, there will be enough for a good CD player. Used, or Anti Cables will help you stay on budget.
I agree that the Magnepans will respond to better amplification, but with a budget of $2000, I don't think you will get better sound for your money. You'll also have the ability to trade up in the future as Millicurie points out.

I second the Magnepan option, but with a used pair of 1.6's. Those will perform better in that room, better with more power. They run approx. 900-1200 used. I would spend half your budget on the speaker. I would then look at an integrated with AT LEAST 100W per channel...clean. You dont need too much power to appreciate the 1.6's. A tubed integrated would be ideal, but for the money a solid state will give you more power. Also, you will be looking to upgrade everything except the 1.6's in the future. Those are keepers. CDP's can be had for 200-400 used. There are many good brands out there.

Don't rule out magnepan. Magnepan MMG $600.00 new (60 days refund if you are not satisfied); less if you buy used.

Classic power amp (Aragon, parasound, etc) between $300-500. Still leave you with enough for a decent used preamp and a used CD player, methinks. Maybe a CDP with volume control to go directly to the power amp.

It's not so much that magnepan needs high power than it needs solid clean power (stable high current). Maggie is such an overachiever that you will keep hearing improvement as you upgrade your upstream components.

Can you tell I love my maggie?

If you are only going to be listening to stereo from a CDP, then I would stick w an integrated amp (power amp and control or pre-amp in one box), CDP and speakers. If you give us an idea about the kind of music you like to listen to, relative volume, and musically what is most important to you, we can help better. You should also consider buying Robert Hartley's Guide to Hi End Stereo and Jim Smith's book on Better Sound to help you move forward.

Actually, slanted ceiling isn't bad at all because it breaks up standing wave. The
key here is to place both the main speakers on the low end of the room firing
towards the high end and you will be surprised how good they sound.

If you buy used, $2,000 can buy you a lot of equipment. I can't tell you what to
buy because audio is very subjective. I simply don't know what you like. But I
can tell you to stay away from speakers made by Martin Logan and Magnepan.
Don't get me wrong, they are great speakers but they need high power amp to
sound good. Your budget just doesn't give you that flexibility right now.