Hi. In your budget I would look to 2.0 for the time being, but with a 7.1 receiver for future upgrades.
I would probably begin with this receiver:
http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...w-X-7ch-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/1.html
and mate it to these speakers:
http://emptek.com/e55ti_clearance.php
I think this will impress you.
You can always add a subwoofer to the mix in the future, along with 2 to four surround channels, and perhaps a center to top it off.