Best Receiver for “Mid-Fi” System?

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.