Starting out Audiophile separates?

It may be a better option for you to get a good quality receiver to start off with. Pretty much all of them have pre amp outs for all of the channels, so later on you can add separate power amps and still use the receiver as a preamp. If you go to audioadvisor.com and look at their HT receivers, they have an NAD T758 on sale for $1000 and a Marantz S5009 for $900. If it were my choice, I would go for the NAD. They focus on high build quality and best possible sound for the money. While it's possible to go with separates, at your price point there just aren't that many choices. If you want to upgrade at a later point, then it would make sense to go with separates.

If you are willing to purchase used, I think you can put something together for the $1000. Watch the classifieds here an AG and don’t be afraid to ask questions of the sellers. Pay attention to their feedback. You will need a processor and 5 channels of amplification. Since the video feed can be routed from video player to TV/Projector directly, I would view the audio side of the processor to be most important. Older processors have not held their value and can be had at a fraction of original price, however can still function nicely. For amplification I would try and find a 2 channel and a 3 channel amp.

You might start out with the processor and a 2 channel amp and build from there. I have found 2 channel to work fine for video.

Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.

At 16, you are probably ahead of many of us with technology. You will want a set-up that streams from the internet (no wires, correct) or will play blu-rays. My suggestions are either an emotiva pre-amp processor (UMC 200) with a nice used 5 channel amp (you can find tons of great amps for a steal) or, you could just go with an Oppo 103 for $500 which will have built in streaming, plays blu-rays, has a nice volume control and you can hook that straight into an amp. 1 less piece and all you lose is a radio tuner. The other option to the emotiva is an outlaw???
Just my 2 cents. Keep in mind that it's distortion that blows speakers, not too much power. Keep you remote away from your buddies.

I'd also recommend a straight up 2 channel rig. They work fine for video and you are going to be able to get a higher quality sound. You will only need 2 speakers instead of 5, you will also only need 2 pair of speaker cables instead of 5... get the idea? if you have $500 for speakers, you can get 2 nice speakers, or 5 mediocre speakers...

if set up properly, which I bet you will do, when sitting in the middle you won't need a center channel speaker anyway because the voices should come from the center anyways. Someone once told me that the best center channel is no center channel, and I tend to agree.

Even though I currently have a Peachtree Nova Pre/220 combo (bought local for $900)I'm not a huge supporter of Peachtree but... some place is selling the new Nova 125 SE in Rosewood for $1100 or $1199 and that may not be a bad place to start.

Think about resale also. Buy components that you can get your money back out of easily so that if you don't like it, or want to upgrade, you can :)

Another option would be a Parasound Halo A21 here on audiogon for $500, a schiit bifrost uber with usb, and a schitt passive volume control.

I'd go with Blue Jeans interconnects and speaker cables; great bang for the buck and not expensive.

Good Luck!

Well said LIMO, I 2nd!