Noob, need help please

Home theater advice only really pertains if you are truly setting up a home theater with a lot of seating. In other words hardly anyone in the sweet spot. That's the real reason for all the channels. Because without the center channel people sitting way off center will hear the dialog coming from whichever speaker is closest instead of from the screen in the middle. Also all the effects coming from left or right, they will only sound right from the sweet spot, so everyone else needs the surround speakers to try and even things out.

It never works. No matter how many channels or how they are processed or how wonderful the speakers or how perfectly placed still no matter what it only ever sounds really good in the sweet spot. All you can possibly do by adding all the channels is degrade and debase whatever quality was there to begin with. Because that is the inevitable result of running it through anything multichannel.

I know. I tried. Been there. Done that. Satellites. Full range surrounds. All kinds of A/V receivers, and processors, and separates. Absolute total waste of time. And money.

Which according to the OP, $1k budget, you can afford to waste very little.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Seriously. Do not take my word for it. Go and listen. Go find the very best A/V receiver you can possibly afford. Then ask to compare it side by side with any integrated amp they happen to have in the store. ANY. If it takes you more than a nanosecond to realize the AV is crap then by all means buy it. Its what you deserve.

I mean that literally and not as an insult. No one should pay for performance they can't hear. Go and listen.

Also make sure you check on that amp or receiver that it will handle that ohm load of your speaker. I for one was running a pioneer vsx 84 using magnepans which are four ohm then I found out that the pioneer only does 6 and 8. So now I'm in the process of replacing with an amp that will handle the 4 ohm load and Ill get a preamp and sell  off the vsx84 which is a shame because  I really like it as a receiver

You might want to check pricing for reconditioned (and some new) at accessories4less. And, of course, check Audiogon...might find a steal on amn AV receiver.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9i4c0-anthem-mrx-700-receivers

Bargain price one
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9if67-marantz-sr5009-7-2-channel-home-theater-receiver-sr-5009-...

I agree that you should go with fronts, plus a center minimum for HT
I have ( going to put it up for sale one day)
The Emotiva UMC 200 AV pre amp that I used for two months while I was waiting for the
 XMC-1 to be released.  It's been in my closet forever! There is a few for sale on the internet.  Home Theater Review gave it 5 stars across the board, especially for the money 
But you would have to add a 5 channel amp
Emotiva has the 500 A for around $500 so for both that would keep you under $1,000
Happy hunting. :  )

Specifications for the UMC 200

Video Inputs and Outputs:
(4) HDMI 1.4 compliant inputs (all with 3D and CEC support)
(1) HDMI 1.4 compliant output (with ARC support)

Audio Inputs:
(4) stereo unbalanced analog audio inputs
(1) set of 7.1 channel unbalanced direct audio inputs
(2) SPDIF coaxial digital audio inputs
(2) Toslink (optical) digital audio inputs
(1) Bluetooth audio input (requires optional Emotiva Bluetooth dongle)
(1) FM Antenna input; 75 ohms coax (F-connector)
(1) AM antenna input (spring terminals)
(1) internal AM/FM tuner

Audio Outputs:
(1) set of 7.1 channel unbalanced audio main outputs
(1) balanced subwoofer output (same as main sub output)
(1) stereo unbalanced analog mix audio output
(2) stereo pairs of unbalanced analog audio zone outputs (Zone 2, Zone 3)
Other Inputs and Outputs:
(1) IR remote control signal input
(1) IR remote control signal output
(2) trigger outputs (programmable)
(1) USB data input (reserved for firmware updates)

Size:
17” W x 14” D x 3-1/4” H
Weight:
10 pounds

I have posted my question in Home Theatre and had a few suggestions on an AV receiver, however it was mentioned by millercarbon that for better quality I should go the preamp and amp route.

Thanks jrwaudio for the recommendations. Does that preamp have an integrated DAC?

Can anyone else recommend some preamp and amp models that fit within my budget? If you tell me that I need to spend slightly more than that’s okay. It’s not a hard set budget. I don’t know the price ranges for different types of amps. 
For now I will leave the center and rears and just focus on the towers and sub which I already have.

By the way, I’m in the U.K. and where I live the only shop I know doesn’t have that much shop floor, it’s all online now. So it’s very difficult for me to go and listen and compare. I know sound is all personal preference but at the same time you guys are experts in this field so I’m relying on your guidance.