Cheap receiver + amp vs Expensive receiver

To keep it simple: A $400 receiver with a sunfire amp will not be anywhere nearly as good as a sunfire pre/pro with the same amp. Better DAC's, better video processing, better crossover systems, better binding posts, bigger power supply, nicer remote and so on...
Do you have anything right now? If yes, what? If no, ask where to begin and on what budget.

Can I make a comment on "prosumer". I totally disagree. Consumer gear like HK gives you as many features as possible for the buck. Pro gear like QSC gives you a bulletproof design and reliability for the buck. Both have made huge compromises to get where they are. That's where high end audio fits in. An Anthem unit will have lots of feature and should have great reliability with the best technology they can reasonably put in the gear. The Anthem will have better quality parts, better remote controls, better DAC's and Video processing and so on...over the HK. An Anthem amp will keep up with the volume level of a QSC (to a certain extent) but with much lower distortion levels and way better imaging.