Would like some help with what to buy? for 4-5k$

I am not a techy, but I do know what has served me well since 1986. At that time I was single and could have purchased just about what ever I wanted. I believe I paid just under $ 7K for my entire system in 86. It consists of a pair of Klipsch La Scala speakers, a DBX 10/20 equalizer (key to making the speakers sound the way you want it to sound in any given environment) , a yamaha M-80 amp and yamaha c-60 preamp, yamaha tuner and CD player. Today you should be able to pick this system up on Ebay for less than $ 3000.00. I don't care what kind of music you listen to or at what volumes - YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! With the DBX, you can personnaly dial in the La Scala's to sound like any speaker out there only better. Also with the DBX, you can program 10 different equalizations into its memory ( It's like having 10 different sets of speakers at your finger tips ). Good luck!

Dakkon,
I agree with everyone else that Denon is the way to go for your receiver. I have the 3803 and I have been very happy with it in my HT setup. You may want to consider PSB when it comes to speakers. Their Image line is awesome with Denon and they are great for HT as well as very musical. For your budget, I think they would really fit the bill. Whatever you do, try yo listen to as many combinations as possible. Good luck and happy listening!

Greetings,

You have a fun but daunting task, get the best for relatively little expense. I would seriously consider bypassing any mass market brand such as Yamaha, Dennon, etc. You can do FAR better sonically for about the same cost. I have to pay critical attention to how much I spend, but want to sacrifice nothing in sound. Here is what I've done...
Give serious attention to purchasing online/phone such components as Outlaw Audio's 950 surround preamp and 755 5 channel amp. Or, if you prefer to go only two channel, Outlaw sells 200 wpc monoblocks. You can get two, (or four, to biamp each main speaker, if cash permits - well worth it!).
Definitely try to listen to at least one brand of planar speaker, such as Martin Logan, Magnepan, etc. I went with Magnepan 1.6's; there are very few speakers with such a high quality to price point. They are quite simply in a much higher class than even more expensive speakers such as Klipsh produce.
Do not destroy your performance of the system with crappy cables. DON'T use Monster cables. They are garbage. Try Harmonic Technology. I switched out entire system from Audioquest to H. Technology. Extremely fine wire for cost. You can get them cheaply on Audiogon. Even their lower end Harmony or Melody wires are fabulous, and would do you well.
Better to skip a subwoofer and buy quality mains, for time being. Don't skimp and get bad speakers, thinking you've done well just because they create a ton of noise. You can always add a sub later. When you do, consider Vandersteen subs; extremely musical and relatively inexpensive when purchased used.
If there's one component to skimp on, it may be the cd player; I only say this if you are going to buy a DVD player and funds run short, it can double as cd player. Ideally, you'd want to get a quality cd player. Dennon, etc. would do you ok, but you can do better buying used. Or, check out the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 which is a great deal for tube cd player.
Have fun with the task; I just finished building my HT room, and added several components. It's fun to see a system take shape.
I would also check out audioreview.com to see what the ratings are for used equipment you might buy. You can definitely do FAR better than going to some mid-fi store!