You have a ton of choices. For brand new separates of mid-fi quality (separate prepro and multi-channel amp), $1600.00 will probably not make it. The NAD T747 is a 60 watt x 7 channel (all channels driven) AVR selling for about $1300.00. Most AVRs today are 7 channel units but if you only use 5, that won't hurt it. NAD as well as Rotel both produce very musical audio equipment. The top of the line Marantz AVR (SR7005) sells for $1599.00 right at your budget. Why not consider another Marantz unit?
need new seperates on a budget
My Marantz receiver just died so I am now looking for a set of seperates to replace it. I want a 5 channel amp and a processor or more likely a new receiver to act as processor. The problem is the budget is limited to about $1600 for both. Any suggestions, am looking at arcam p1000, sherbourn, theta intrepid, parasound, b&k etc but have no idea which would be better. I listen to music in 2 channel about 75% of the time. Really concerned about the pre/pro. I have Focal 806V, Elan surr and Energy center but just care about the Focals.