Best Receiver for “Mid-Fi” System?


Hey everyone…interested in your thoughts…

I’m putting together a decidedly mid-fi system for both 2 channel listening and 5.1 home theater.  I have Focal Aria Evo X No. 2 towers, center and sub, and also Focal surrounds.  I will be using an Eversolo DMP-A6 for streaming music.

Thoughts on the best receiver to power this system?  I’m looking for musicality from the receiver if possible as I have a more “hi-fi” system also and am a little spoiled with B&W 801 D4s in that system.

I know the limitations of the Focal speakers and am wondering if spending more on the receiver will really be worth it or not for this system?  Would like to spend $1,000 or less if possible but could be convinced to go a little higher if something truly provides better bang for the buck.  Prefer to buy new, usually.

Have only 1 sub and need only 1 coax input for the streamer so I’m assuming almost anything new today will suffice.

Many thanks for your thoughts and opinions on this!

nankaroad

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.