I'm using a pair of bridged Sony TA-N80ES power amps with a matching TA-E80ES pre-amp. Sources include the matching Sony ST-S730ES tuner, Sony ST-5000f tuner, and Sony PS-X700 table, Sony DVP-S9000ES CD/SACD player, and a variety of other tuners. Still looking for a remote control for the pre-amp/tuner.
The power amps, the matching pre-amp, and the matching tuner were all found on Craigslist at $100 a piece or $400 total.
My speaker cables are home-made from 12 gauge, silver-plated copper in teflon insulation, twisted pair with shrink-wrap at the terminations and a split plastic protector on the run. These cost about $50 for the materials with the Monster terminations being the priciest parts.
BTW, I've Sound Anchor stands under the speakers on spikes on my garage concrete floor.
I'm very pleased with the system's performance and delighted at the price/performance ratio. I suspect that some pricey monster monoblocs would improve things but I'm happy as-is.