I recently helped my sister-in-law with a similar decision. After looking around as you are doing now, I recommended she buy the Rotel RX-1050 and she's been very pleased. For a 2-channel receiver, I think it's hard to beat. If you haven't already found them, here are a couple of reviews that influenced my thinking as I was looking...
http://www.audioreview.com/Receivers/ROTEL/PRD_133656_1593crx.aspx
http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/rotel.htm
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http://www.audioreview.com/Receivers/ROTEL/PRD_133656_1593crx.aspx
http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/rotel.htm
.