Component recommendations: best bang for buck.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful feedback and recommendations.  It's definitely a lot of information to try and digest for a newcomer such as myself.  For the time being I'm going to take it easy and try to enjoy the process and perhaps most important, avoid any regrettable purchases.  I'd like to start with either an AV receiver/processor or integrated amp.  There are some great options in the classifieds on this forum.  My one question (among many others) is would my TV/display benefit from the "additional" video processing of the AVR unit vs. plugging the HDMI directly into the TV (I have the latest 4k TV from LG)

AVR/processors to chose from:
Marantz 8802 
Krell Foundation
McIntosh MX 121/160
ARCAM

As for the integrated amp:

ML 585
McIntosh MA 8000
MF Nu-Vista 800
hegel 360

Please weigh in on the above selections or other components that you feel need mentioning.  Many thanks for you time and especially your patience with this newbie : )

Greetings,

For clarification, I would like to have a "hybrid" system as suggested on the various forums, where theres a separate power source for a two channel audio and the a dedicated receiver (AVR) to run the HT (center/rear speakers).  Also my 10-15k budget does not account for speakers as I'm satisfied with my Kef 5.1.  

Thus far, am I correct to say that the Krell would be a better option than the Marantz?  Is the worth the 2k difference in price?

Going with the Krell Foundation option, I've read that I can either go with  a power amp or an integrated amp.  Whats the benefit of one vs. the other?  

Warm regards,

Khai

Hey guys, can't thank you enough for guiding me through all this mucky muck.  Lots of good info that I need to digest and my head is spinning.  On top of that, I'm trying to get a Sprinter van so I can set up shop for near season of track day/racing.  At this point, I believe I'm going to choose either the Krell or Marantz.  With the Marantz, isn't it more a receiver where theres an amp to drive the center and rear speakers for HT and then I'd just need a 2 channel amp to do the R/L for the audio?  If this is the case, would you recommend the MC402 (only because it's available).

Could you tell me what I may be missing out on if In chose the Krell over the marantz; basically what would you choose from the classifieds and retail if you were in my position.  I'm only asking as there is a sale for a combo Krell Foundation and Krell Chorus 7200. 

Greetings,

I know an AVR is not the "best" option, anyone have experience with the Arcam AVR 850 and use that with a two or three channel power amp?  

Thanks for the word of caution. It’s seems like an AVR is the easy option for now; the Yamaha Aventage RX 3070 seems to be getting high praises and supports the latest digital formats. I could mate this with a separate amp to handle the audio function. My question is would there be any benefit to getting a two channel vs a three channel power amp. Also with a three channel amp, can I use the channels separately, for example using the L and R only.

One of the vendors contacted me and is recommending the Arcam AVR 850 as being far superior than anything out there, including the Krell Foundation. And it so happens that there are two available on eBay, however I did notice that it supports HDMI 2.0a and not 2.0b.  BTW what are your thoughts on Macintosh MC303 to power the L/R/C channels.

Avlee, thanks for the heads up. I’ll look into the NAD.  Any thoughts on the Arcam processor or receiver?