With Emotiva's current sale, there's no excuse not to get separates with some power. You will never hear what your speakers have to offer if you insist on driving them with a mass market receiver. Right now you can get a full-function 2-channel preamp and 125 wpc power amp for $669 total, or $769 for the pre plus 150 wpc. These amps have far more current and ability to bring speakers to life than any $500 receiver could.
I'd rather have a high current amp driving stand mount speakers than have to listen to floorstanders driven by a receiver.
I'd rather have a high current amp driving stand mount speakers than have to listen to floorstanders driven by a receiver.