I like onkyo 800 or above - won the receiver of the year at a hifi magazine for under 1k. Smooth and rich.
Outlaw 1050 is also nice - I see here for sale now and then.
I also like this new digital amp - panasonic sa-xr45 ($300 shipped on the web) Although not that powerful, has a pleasant smooth sound, with a great bass. Some are replaceing a few thousand units with this. A lot is written about it on here and www.audioasylum.com
