The specialist HiFi stores are not like that. Ring and book an appointment, giving an idea of price and features you are looking for. They will then get various options set up for your visit in a separate listening room with a sofa. Be aware they will always try to stretch your budget but then that's their job. Yours is to make sure you're getting what you want. If £500 does what you need then that's enough.
It's your ears and wallet, so make sure you know your limit and what you want the stereo to do for you when you get it home. I mostly use mine with the TV as the difference in sound quality compared to the crappy TV speakers makes the cost worth it on its own.
I spent over 3 hours in store and had 3 different systems and sets of speakers at home before finally purchasing my mid-life crisis system. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and it was great to hear what is possible nowadays.
In the end I went just a little further up the Naim line than the Muso, but still just a single box plus speakers as I really didn't want the stereo to take over the house or my life...
Final point - most stores will offer 24 months interest free credit if you want to stretch the cost out over a few months.