I second Anthem. Although their seperates are expensive, they have an MRX line of receivers that have gotten a lot of excellent reviews for carrying some of the sound of their more expensive seperates into their receiver line.
The ARC (Anthem Room Correction) software is supposedly excellent as well, though you may have less benefit with that if you are placing room treatments.
I know I'm convinced. After I sell my Peachtree Nova (HATE to get rid of the Nova- the sound is cavernous and effortless and makes my big speakers almost disappear) and my Adcom GFR-700HD, I am upgrading to the MRX 300 to power my Swan Diva 6.2's. I don't believe the mainstream brand receivers will match the sound quality of the Anthem.