In your price range, I'd suggest Pioneer or Yamaha.
Also, when on a tight budget, it's (almost) always preferable to go with a "better" 5.1 speaker setup than a "worse" 7.1 array. Having a receiver that is 7.1-capable is nice for potential future changes, but a well configured 5.1 surround setup will be ample, IMO.
That Yamaha for $250 +$25 S&H on eBay that TorqueDog linked to is a pretty great deal. The 60 day warranty is short for an open box item, but the seller has a good track record. I suppose this comment isn't directed at Cecil, however.
__________________
|