Best Affordable 5.1 AND Stereo Receiver to Drive Meadowlark Heron-i Speakers


I haven't upgraded any of my audio equipment in many years. I've been driving Meadowlark Heron-i speakers with either a Plinius 8150 integrated amp or B&K Reference 30 5.1 preamp/amp, but am looking to update to HDMI. 

I must mention that my budget isn't what it was when I purchased my equipment, so I am looking for the best possible receiver/amp to drive the Meadowlarks properly without spending more than $4K. 

Music (2-channel) is more important to me than 5.1 music/movies, so please offer suggestions you might have bearing that in mind.  

Any/all serious recommendations will be appreciated, and please don't hesitate to ask me for further info that might help. Also, I am not particularly attached to my Heron-i's, so if there's any interest whatsoever, please don't hesitate.
thebullofvarn

Showing 1 response by auxinput

It sounds like you have that B&K Reference 30 (which is a HT preamp/processor) AND a separate amplifier.  Based on your tendancy towards "warmer" sounding equipment, I would look at the Bryston SP3 HT preamp/processor to replace your Reference 30.  There aren't any up for sale now, but I think I have seen them in the $3-4k range.  The Bryston SP3 has excellent power supply and fully discrete Class A analog audio stages.  However, for my own HT tastes, I found it too laid back in the midrange.

I would actually completely disagree with millercarbon's opinion that "HT is just a wasteland of bad audio" and "you will find there are no multi-channel anything that sound good".