Need help! First step into high end audio

Hello Monkey Kibble!  "High End" does not have to mean "epensive."  It should mean "high performance." Used receivers are available at very low prices. Look for Integra (Onkyo's premium product) receivers. I have several of them and never paid more than $200 for one. I give them away to beginners and keep the best ones for my home systems (I have five systems in the house.). Golden Ear makes great speakers for the $$ and can be found used if you hunt carefully. Wharfdales are underrated and can also be found at good prices used. You're in a good place to find used gear. Good hunting for good listening.

Here’s a different option to consider. 
 

I used to have a dedicated media room with an NAD home theatre receiver and PSB speakers. When I moved to a smaller place I bought Bluesound sound bar and subwoofer- it’s a sister company of NAD and all in was $1500.   
 

My audio and home theater are different but in the same area.  

...there's as many approaches to HT and 'stand-alone' audio as cars on the freeway....

One can always opt for a better than average card in that 'puter in the closet that could 'do' 5.1 in a snap, yet be 'throttled back' to 2 or 3.1...decent distribution amp from PE, speakers as fit ears 'n budget.....

Input the flat screen and go...'puter can stream, Spotify, soundcloud....the world at your keyboard....freeware eq, even room correction....

I've been doing this for years....

+1 @soix