Like me, yours was probably a result of some items you had on hand but with the addition of a new receiver. I was always very pleased with the results (particularly with great DTS DVD titles such as Saving Private Ryan):
Sanyo 32 inch TV
Pioneer Elite VSX-21 receiver (two channels failed after just two years; replaced with Denon 3802)
Pioneer DV-525
Onkyo 6 disc CD player
Bose Acoustimass 5 for front left and right (double cubes) on Bose stands
Def Tech ProCenter C2
Acoustic Energy Aegis One bookshelves for rears (on those IKEA folding steel stands)
Hsu VTF-3 sub

Today: M80 fronts, VP180, M22 rears, EP800, Rotel 1570/1575, PS3 (original release), Rotel 1520 CD player, Oppo BDP-83, Onkyo T-4555 tuner, Roku HD player... and just a 37 inch Sony 3LCD TV (yes, I'm more into the ultimate sound)

Please share your first setup!!