Hey Jim, if you're going for bookshelf-sized speakers, I think you'll want a sub. What are the dimensions of the room this system is going into? Carpet or reflective? Cathedral ceilings? Can you describe it for us?
Also, for the receiver, I second zieg's recommendation for Marantz. Consider the Marantz SR line (
SR5008,
SR6008,
SR7008). They've got honest power, Audyssey XT (the SR7008 has XT32 with Sub EQ), and a USB port on the front for plugging in a hard drive. Audyssey dynamic EQ is great for making the EQ sound the same at any volume; and dynamic volume is fantastic for watching movies and TV at lower volumes.