I really enjoyed working with white oak. I can be had for a reasonable price from dedicated wood stores (not Home Depot necessarily, and definitley not Woodcraft!), it's hard, it takes stain well (even when you really screw it up...), looks really nice, and it's quite supportive. On the other hand, my entertainment center is not solid oak; there's a bunch of 3/4" oak plywood in there, too.

I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!