preamp/ avr $750-- 900 now speakers/subs $3300 right now but more if i save longer
Right now I think the Denon
AVR X3600H (<---is out of stock at my usual go-to's! Pickings are getting kinda slim, sheesh.) is a good balance of features and price. It also has a full set of preouts for more flexibility down the road should you choose to add an external amp
All that also applies to the
X4500H for $999. B stock/refurb but this one comes with a 3 year warranty. I've bought from them before and gear I've ordered from them has always showed up looking like brand new. It's a lot of avr, has preouts and advanced room correction. You can find cheaper but won't have some of the features that I look for in an AVR.
For subs I agree that Hsu will probably offer you the best bang for buck. I have a
pair of VTF-3 MK5s and they're pretty awesome. The price in that link is for 2 of them and I have a pretty large room so I got the big boys.
Speakers, lately
@KEW has been talking up the Canton Vento series of speakers and even prefers them over SVS' Ultra speakers. That's saying quite a bit, imo. I own the Ultras and they're very, very nice speakers. I got them based in part due to his recommendation and don't regret the purchase at all. If he feels the Vento is a better speaker then they definitely would be on my short list. I'll let him explain some more (I summoned him) as I haven't heard them yet, but I sure want to!