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Best Affordable 5.1 AND Stereo Receiver to Drive Meadowlark Heron-i Speakers

I haven't upgraded any of my audio equipment in many years. I've been driving Meadowlark Heron-i speakers with either a Plinius 8150 integrated amp or B&K Reference 30 5.1 preamp/amp, but am looking to update to HDMI. 

I must mention that my budget isn't what it was when I purchased my equipment, so I am looking for the best possible receiver/amp to drive the Meadowlarks properly without spending more than $4K. 

Music (2-channel) is more important to me than 5.1 music/movies, so please offer suggestions you might have bearing that in mind.  

Any/all serious recommendations will be appreciated, and please don't hesitate to ask me for further info that might help. Also, I am not particularly attached to my Heron-i's, so if there's any interest whatsoever, please don't hesitate.
thebullofvarn
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
It sounds like you have that B&K Reference 30 (which is a HT preamp/processor) AND a separate amplifier.  Based on your tendancy towards "warmer" sounding equipment, I would look at the Bryston SP3 HT preamp/processor to replace your Reference 30.  There aren't any up for sale now, but I think I have seen them in the $3-4k range.  The Bryston SP3 has excellent power supply and fully discrete Class A analog audio stages.  However, for my own HT tastes, I found it too laid back in the midrange.

I would actually completely disagree with millercarbon's opinion that "HT is just a wasteland of bad audio" and "you will find there are no multi-channel anything that sound good".
panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
519 posts
 

I will avoid the arrogance and ignorance of certain posters and reply directly to the question. The upper range of Marantz AVR are quite good. They are among the few manufacturers who do actually listen and tune their equipment for sound quality. 

To avoid multichannel audio at this point reminds me of the pre-stereo 1950s audiophile with one speaker in the room declaring stereo is ' just a gimmick, a passing fad". 

bipkaul
2 posts
 

Personally, I’ve used a lot of receivers like Yamaha and marantz like SR 5xxx but my Arcam AVR 750 10 years old now Has been the best Noticeably better than marantz and Yamaha , I know Arcam is expensive But used ones are worth it

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