Best Receiver for “Mid-Fi” System?

Those speakers have a minimum impedance of 2.9 ohms..Digging around a bit also reveals the phase relationship has several big swings,meaning these speakers are going to be a difficult load..
 ANY of the usual suspects from Marantz,Yamaha,Denon or Arcam will sound decent but IMO, no where near as good as those speakers are capable of & you absolutely need to confirm with the manufacturer that the amp is capable of driving a 2 ohm load!

If you were willing to buy used, I might have some suggestions.

For those nice speakers, a little risk (buying used) would probably bring a large reward.

I’m open to used suggestions!  Any way to know if a unit is properly functioning other than that it powers up?

OP, I just realized you're looking for a receiver, not an integrated amp. That leaves me a bit stumped.

Try one of these mid-fi AVR’s brands (models),

• Denon AVR-X2800H / X3800H / X4800H
• Marantz Cinema 60 / 70s / 50
• Yamaha RX-A4A/ RX-A6A

Here's the previous gen Yamaha flagship (RX-A3080) for $1200. 

It should be worth your while once you figure out how to use it.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa3080bl-rb/yamaha-rx-a3080-9.2-ch-x-150-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

The   Outlaw receiver is worth a look. 

@mapman the Outlaw is NOT a surround receiver..

@nankaroad since Outlaw Audio was mentioned it got me thinking..You can get a new 5 channel amp from them that should handle those speakers pretty well for about $800.00.....Then you should be able to go to USAM & find a decent older surround preamp/processor that was highly rated when new that now cost 60-70% less than it did then..
 I would be willing to bet there are pretty good 5 channel amps available today that won't break the bank & work with those speakers just fine..

Yamaha absolutely. 
 

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa3060bl/yamaha-rx-a3060-9.2-ch-x-150-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

For those recommending Yamaha,have a look at the specs..Yamaha rates their surround receivers at specified power,1 channel driven(NOT all 5 channels at the same time)& at ONLY 1Khz-20Khz.(NOT 20 hz.-20Khz.)..This smacks of a weak amplifier & even though they spec a "Dynamic"power output @ 2 ohms it is spec'd the same way..What happens to that spec when all 5 amplifiers are working under a 20Hz.-20Khz.load?I'm betting those specs fall flat on their face...
 OP:if you want a power amp that will do the job,at least get something that specs their amps with all channels driven under a full frequency load!

I’m using Yamaha, and it’s a trooper, going on 16 yrs. However, I use all the pre outs and run separates. So perhaps you can look for a nice pre pro used? I do combo 2channel and surround but don’t use the amplifier in the receiver. 

I would get either Denon X3800H or X4800 for now and then add two of the well reviewed class D mono blocks from Topping or Fosi when I had some more money. Both those Denon have a full set of pre-outs. 

I have alot of the denon 4800h and up to the top in all my theater and have not had problems.find used or open box.happy listening.

I would add Marantz. Free ($15) to try at Crutchfield.

It's over your budget, and maybe above mid-fi, but Marantz SR8015 was last gen TOTL receiver. They have been closing them out for $2k, you will not get a better receiver for this price. 

It's heavy and huge, if you let it run in class A mode, it will run really hot. This is what is in my HT room, it works flawlessly, is ok with music, and can drive lower ohm speakers, but will generate heat. Tested it out with new KLH Model 5, 6ohm, worked just fine.

The latest generation of better Sony receivers have a greatly upgraded HDMI input section, so an STRAZ5000 would be my suggestion.  The amp is a beast also.  Dust off your audio engineering degree, though...its packed with options.

You can try any of the Anthem AVR recievers they are very highly rated and also come with anthem room correction.

I see a lot of the mainstay receivers, and that's OK.

I also see a lot of commentary on your speakers and what it may take to drive them properly...

A: Get a honking receiver! Remember they all say. "xxx power, 2 channels driven.

B: get a decent receiver, in your price range, but add a separate power amp to drive the tough load of your speakers. Also, an external separate power amp, would likely make it all sound better.

I my past days of using an AVR for music listening, the large revelation of a separate power amp was significant.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVS970H/Denon-AVR-S970H.html
$900 or as low as $811 in "scratch and dent" they are pretty good with their checkups on returns.

Anthem make some of the very best surround sound receivers. They’re a bit pricey but well made & sound very good. I’ve had my 7 channel one for several years now , it works flawlessly, sounds very good & quite powerful.

I love my Yamaha A4A.  I use external amps as well but the receiver has a decent amp in it, although I'd be using it mainly for the preouts to a separate amp.  You can get a Yamaha factory refurb A4A straight from accessories4less for $749.  This would get you a solid receiver with a decent amp that you could later upgrade by using the preouts.  I personally think the DAC should matter the most as you most likely will upgrade the amplifier at some point.  I have been very satisfied with the sound quality especially after adding some Shunyata power conditioning

I would highly recommend the Marantz SR 8012, which you can find used for less than $1600 on eBay or Audiogon. It is the best surround sound receiver, made just prior to the current top of thr line Cinema 30. I just added the 8012 to my system and it is great. 

+1 Yamaha flagship (RX-A3080) for $1200

I own one. The built in streamer / DAC is decent and supports Tidal/Qobuz, SXM radio.

It currently drives a dedicated surround system, but previously it was in a combined 2 channel and 5.2 channel system  so I got to compare it with Harbeth 40.3 XDs used as shared mains being driven either by the Yamaha or a high end integrated amp and dedicated streamer that cost more than 10x. Very impressive performance / $ ratio.  

I’m using a Yamaha Rn-2000a receiver which is more than capable of powering 4 ohm speakers.  I’m using KEF R3 Meta speakers and the system sounds great.  Look at the Audiiholics review of the receiver with the bench testing.  The receiver also has a quality moving magnet phono stage and a streamer. It only has one sub  out though.  Hegel would be good too but I’m not sure what “mid-fi” includes.

Oops.  You wanted an AVR.  My mistake for not reading closely.  Emotiva may be an option.

Hey everyone, many thanks for all of your comments and suggestions…sure do appreciate it!

I’ve decided to buy a refurbished Marantz Cinema 40…looks like a solid unit, good reviews…maybe a little more than what I need but the refurb price is good.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions and features to think about!

I use an Anthem 520.  It was paired with an older Parasound channel power amp and the front speakers are Silverline Panatellas.  The Parasound gave up the ghost a few months ago and I was assured that the Anthem should be able to drive everything (the power amp was added to help a previous Denon AVR which definitely could not drive the system).  I do seem to miss the grunt of the power amp and am thinking of adding a new one.

  I mention this because someone up thread mentioned that the Focals are a difficult load.  I should mention that I have a second HT system in the home, different speakers, same Anthem 520 that drives everything well.  I value the Anthem Room correction quite a bit.

  If I was the OP I would seriously consider a used AVR because there is a lot of inexpensive choice out there combined with a 5 channel power amp with some grunt.

I had a Yammie a few years ago, It was the most weak kneed 100 plus watts ever. I coined the phrase Yamawatts.

Whatever you choose, make sure it has pre-outs so that you can add power amps later.

I chose the Denon X3800H and X4800H because they use the MultiEQ XT32 room calibration which is about as good as it gets for out of the box room calibration before going up to Dirac and other higher end room calibration.

@travelinjack 

good point about the pre out