If you're serious about using this setup for only 2 channel music, you can get some very nice separates for not much over your $500 budget. But again, it would be 2 channel only.

Scour Audiogon for a Rotel RB-1050 and RC-1070. That combo, used, can usually be found for about $600.

Another option is getting a nice integrated amp. I just grabbed a Rotel RA-1062 for under $500.