Need Help - Best System For My Budget???


Thank you for your advice/help - I need it. I am a hifi beginner and need much help in putting together a quality system. I hope you'll give me as much advice as possible. Here's what I have to work with:
-Budget total of $5000-$7000 - must include entire system of power (either integrated or preamp/amp), loudspeakers, CD player, all necessary quality cables
-90% certain I want Energy Audissey 5+2 loudspeakers ($1600)
-I live in an apt. in NYC - room size is approx. 20'x30'
-I listen to all music, mostly rock and jazz, a lot of live music
-This is first and foremost an audio system, but I want the ability to expand it into a quality home theater system (addition of rear and center speakers, sub if necessary)

I am struggling most with amplification. Given that I want the Energy speakers and want to get the most out of them - how should they be powered - integrated amp? Preamp/amp? Tubes vs. Solid State? I'm leaning toward the McIntosh line - MC300 amp.

I am naive about sound quality differences between power sources. I am completely open to buying used equipment in the power category because I know I can save big dollars and get equipment otherwise outside my budget in the new/retail market. Your help is most appreciated. Many thanks!
geordie
I agree with Streetman. Start with a good 2 channel system first. Actually you could make it a 2.1 system if you included a great musical sub like those made by REL or Vandersteen. Movies will sound great without the rear or middle. When you do go 5.1 channel, I recommend you try running the front 2 speakers as powered before, from your audio amplifier and not through the digital decoder. Only power the middle and rears through the digital decoder. I find the fronts sound a lot better and therefore the whole experience. Also try to get the rest of your HT speakers from the same basic brand, so they will voice as close as possible
Geordie, I would recommend starting witha great 2 channel system.You can always add ht to when you get more funds.I would suggest spending the majority on hifi 2 channel as i believe ht sonics are'nt as crucial to enjoyment, imho.That said, i would get a sonic frontiers line 2{1300 used}, Mccormack dna .5{1100} newform research r645's{1900 blems} Homegrown ic's and speaker cable.Then later you could add some inexpensive/inwalls for rears. If you listen to the rears in dd/dts they really don't gett enuff play to spend alot of $$$ imho! With the newform's they say you dont even need a center channel{soundstage is so wide!}As for front end i dont think you could do much better than the sony s9000es @1050${one call.com} it has progressive dvd, cd,sacd and is supposed to be excellent in all areas.Sf has processor loop for ht so you could integrate it later but that,s a whole 'nother thread!