confused and don't know what to do

seems to me

millercarbon simply will not compromise his amazing 2 channel system.

audiotroy may hope for sales, however I believe they do make effort to share their experience which I appreciate. people ask for advice, they are highly experienced and give it. take it or leave it.

I agree with audiotroy, and I said in my initial response:

Home theater: CENTER CHANNEL is a must, and at least a small pair of rear surrounds (engaged when real surround content exists) are needed.

Switch it to 2 channel if it is fake/created surround. That complicates Video IF it's sound is better without surround. Using 2 channel with video, omitting the center channel, it is important to get a center origin from the mains. 2 Channel precise imaging, in a sweet spot is of course wonderful, but add your spouse or a friend, 2 people wide, perhaps 3 (OP said 'we') and things change.Speakers specifically designed (or easily moved) for wide center imaging are thus important. 

Also consider, precise imaging for music is primarily for stationary musicians/singers, things 'stay' .... Imaging for Video is ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I have low ceilings, I've never been tempted to add height speakers or bothered seeking a good 7.1 setup to hear, I have been, and am quite happy with my small home theater.

My music system is separate, the 'real' speakers/equipment.

As I said, I used the same system for both music and video for a while, but that was before good 5.1 system/content was plentiful.

People, like my neice, many others, love minimalist Video Environments: TV/Monitor wall mounted, no deep cabinet for equipment below, no big speakers. They often compromise with wireless speakers.

Big Mistake IMO. No way to meet OP's desire for great music out of a video system.

A darn good AV Receiver is Big, Hot, Many Wires. Add Blu-Ray Player; Cable Box. That needed cabinet provides a place for a real Center Speaker directly below the screen. Real full frequency Mains. That has the potential for a darn good Music System.

Add more music sources to bare bones and it gets big and complicated, many remotes involved. Reel to Reel? Turntable? Streaming? DAC? ..... 

It can be done, but it is Hard to get right.

Oh yeah, legacy stuff,

I also have a VCR, and a quiet fanless PC (video on the motherboard), with small wireless keyboard for total access to the Internet. PC was used a lot prior to smart tv's and the restricted browsers of early smart tv's. PC has access to all content on the home network, and better processor.

IOW, a home theater has/might end up having more equipment than you start with. Minimalist system will force you to compromise in my experience.

raw 33,

You will find a lot of stuff on YouTube that you can see and hear. Keep in mind this is not an accurate sound, since it’s not a live audition but it helps. At least you will have an idea specially of what things look like and reviews as well.
If you enter the manufacturer, model numbers and add YouTube in your search, it will give you a lot of info. on anything you are looking for.

raw 33,

I think you should also look into Rockport and Joseph Audio.