JP, welcome. You've already completed what is by far the most significant audio step by getting your excellent speakers. Frankly, attempting to "audition" a receiver with them is a rather pointless exercise since any well-designed receiver amplifies transparently and doesn't introduce a sonic character of its own. What's heard at such "auditions" isn't the receiver, but rather the source material being played, as affected by the speakers and the specific acoustic characteristics of that particular room.
If you're not limited to that store, there're several excellent receivers at the $1,000 end of your budget which should be considered, such as the Denon 3806(or as previously mentioned, the older 3805 if you'd like to save a bit more), Pioneer 74TXVi or Yamaha 2600.
