Without knowing what sort of features you need and whether or not you are looking for 2 channel or home theater capabilitites, I'll simply toss out some brand names that offer good value and are of higher fidelity than the "Big Box" store stuff.

NAD, Cambridge Audio, Jolida, Arcam, Creek for electronics and PSB, Paradigm, Epos, NHT for speakers.

There are quite a few more that I could add, but these represent some of the more easily found brands with track records of producing good sounding and high value stuff.

To Monty's suggestions I would add Rotel on the electronics front and both Revel and Energy for speakers.