Search out a Marantz SR18ex. A great older receiver that I've seen for as little as $500 ( retailed for $3295.) Weighs 50+ lbs and gives a solid 140 per channel. Built like a tank and sounds good to boot.
Denon has a few solid older HT receivers in their 5000 series that are excellent but cost more.
There's a few more. Look through older reviews on HT websites like AV Guide.
There's a good many more recent receivers going cheap. Not built as well as the older ones but decent non the less.
For the last 5 or so years, the Sony's are digital amps. They certainly aren't the horses of the past.
Denon has a few solid older HT receivers in their 5000 series that are excellent but cost more.
There's a few more. Look through older reviews on HT websites like AV Guide.
There's a good many more recent receivers going cheap. Not built as well as the older ones but decent non the less.
For the last 5 or so years, the Sony's are digital amps. They certainly aren't the horses of the past.