Have ~12K to spend on a new setup. Help!

Look at the new Anthem separates, get a great pair of fronts and very good center and surrounds. Spend some money on themain L and R speakers so you can really enjoy it when you listen to music. Trust me, with a good sounding system you will listen to music more when you find yourself alone on those rare occasions ...

look at the new Paradigm Founders speakers.    Paradigm is owned by Anthem or vice versa.  They go well together.  McIntosh is nice but  personally I would spend on the Speakers.  McIntosh won't really allow you to do that for around $12k and leave money for great mains and a sub

I'd go in a different direction, i.e., KEF LS60 ($7K) or Dutch & Dutch 8C ($12K), both Roon ready active speakers.  Don't know about the D&D 8C, but the KEF accepts eARC for uncompressed TV audio.  Both are set up and controlled by apps that run on a computer, e.g., iPhone or iPad. 

12K for a multichannel HT setup won't go far....

What I did that I am very happy with (full disclosure, I'm 90% music and 10% TV/movies):

My 2 channel HIFi system stands alone.  I have over $12K invested just in my DAC but you can do well for much less but if you truly want a good 2 channel system, you can upgrade a little at a time in the future.

My 2 channel system has a second input into the amp.  I run the preamp signals from my HT system to the second input and switch my 2 channel system to that input when I'm watching a movie.

I also would put 80% of my speaker money if not more into the 2 front speakers.

You may want to just buy a 7 channel syste and use the reciever for music.  This is quite a 2 channel compromise but it may work for you.

Jerry

My suggestion is go with:

• Speakers: Monitor Audio Platinum
• Processor or HT Receiver:  Anthem (having 1 unit is a serious benefit in a home)
• Room treatment as needed

Also for the sake of house happiness, consider ceiling mounted surrounds/Atmos speakers if not 100% in walls.

I went with an Anthem processor, 11 channel Emotiva Amp, Klipsh speakers and Hsu subwoofers. The subs were recycled from an old system. This was over your 12K budget by $4-6K. I think for your budget a Receiver and fewer channels would bring down cost. Also used electronics would help. For much less than &12K, Nakamichi showed the Dragon system at CES 2023.

@vonhelmholtz which anthem did you land on? I am still trying to sort out mrx vs avm. The new avm 70 look pretty awesome. 

AVM-70

Awesome. I did a bunch of research and I don’t think I have any need of the additional features of the AVM70 so I am on the lookout for a used AVM60. I have never owned an anthem, is it a big upgrade over my current Marantz?

I found a McIntosh Mc205 that I will be buying tomorrow (whoo hooo!).

Thanks for all the help everyone. Going to close this thread and start a more focused one. I am trying to decide on my receiver as I believe I found a set of Studio 100's to replace my long lost pair.