Best budget 5.1 surround receiver and speakers?

I've had good resulis with my Sony STR-DA 3000.I bought mine new for $700/list was $1000.Have seen them go for $300.Using Home Depot and Parts Connection /MAS ICs to good results.Just paired it with their NS9100 DVD with HDMI.Speakers are a modified Lineaum LX-4 based speaker system with Dayton RS 10" subs.Spend some $ on the front/center and upgrade the surrounds as money permits.

Marantz A-V receivers for the money are one of the best buys out there. To me they're superior to their Denon counterparts, also superior to Yamaha, Onkyo, etc. Marantz is not sold is mass market stores. That should tell you something. The SR4001 (80 watts x 7) sells for $550.00 list and the SR3001 (60 watts x 7)at $380.00 Go to www.marantz.com. For loudspeakers, PSB, NHT, B&W, Boston Acoustics, etc are all recommended. Not sure you can get a decent 5.1 loudspeaker arrangment for under $1K though new. Going used could do it for you. The fun is in the hunt.

Pdn is right about the Marantz receivers. Find one on here or ebay and then shop for speakers the same way. Paradigm or similar will give you great sound on a budget.

Enjoy the hunt.