Best Receiver for “Mid-Fi” System?

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.