Home Theatre AVR recommendations (Anthem, NAD vs Denon, pioneer, marantz)

Hello,

I’m looking to buy a new home theatre receiver, which would get used about 50/50 time as surround and as a two channel system. I’m trying to get a sense on how much of a difference I will see between something like a the lower end of an NAD (like a T748) or something by Anthem or Emotiva versus big named brands that I could buy for a little cheaper (Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo) and direct some of the savings towards speakers. I’m looking to spend not much more than $1000 on the receiver, could always spend less! Could maybe be convinced to spend a little more. Would ideally buy new, but could also buy used.

I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Will only really have one source hooked up to it. Would sometimes carry 3D signals via HDMI, but if the HDMI on a unit doesn’t support that, I’m happy to bypass the video and patch audio in optically. Airplay, network, spotify.... don’t need these. Not certain on whether I need/want room correction. Coming mostly from a 2-channel background and knowledge of things, I’m dubious of EQs and processing, but I understand that home theatre is a different beast. So maybe that would be good to have. Only need 5.1, but wouldn’t pass up considering the right 7.1 model. Would also really prefer for have 5.1 full surround pre-outs, just for the options of patching in a different amp.

It’s for a midsize/large-ish room, but won’t ever really need to be cranked at full capacity. Would only ever be for modest listening volumes (viewing/listening room in a work setting). That said, I do value/desire clarity and clearness in the sound with good tonal balance and imaging. And while I don’t need a lot of power, I do want it to have enough bang to drive a wide range of speakers.

I don’t actually have speakers selected for this yet. Ha! which maybe is the wrong way to go about it. But I’m trying to figure out a receiver budget so i can determine how much is left for speakers. It will be mini-monitors/bookshelves. no stand mounts. Something like Paradigm or NHT.