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Quality home theatre receiver with quality sound?

Friends Parasound amp from 70s is dying. She is a 70+ widow who listens to music  from cds or Music Direct 50% of time and has TV and movies on remaining time. She has Gallo 3.1 speakers and appreciates their quality sound. I need to order her a replacement  unit and figured a decent midfi AV receiver would do well for her needs at this point given her budget and demands. She is ok up to $1000. I have honestly paid little attention to this category. I was thinking Marantz as I have had success with their gear for similar prices in quality and sound. Looks like all the midfi guys are in this category, e.g.  Denon, Yamaha,  Onkyo, etc. Anyone have experience from which  they can recommend a unit or brand? She doesn't care about surround sound or multichannel or a subwoofer. Bluetooth  would be  nice as she runs an IPhone and IPad. 
joekapahulu
reubent
6,936 posts
 
What kind of Parasound amp? A pre-amp/power amp set, an integrated amp, or a receiver? 

As MC already stated, a mid-fi AVR would be the worse choice. Typically mediocre sound quality, many unneeded features and overly complicated to operate.

Instead of a mid-fi AVR, a 2-channel receiver or an integrated amplifier would be a better choice.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,746 posts
 
If she is ok with spending a grand, how about the Outlaw RR2160.

https://outlawaudio.com/shop/stereo-receivers/56-rr2160mkii-stereo-receiver.html

I have had one in service since 2006.  

Rich 
geof3
1,125 posts
 
Go with something like this... I have one in my office setup. Great little inexpensive unit. All in one, and done. https://www.marantz.com/en-us/product/network-audio-players/m-cr612
mesch
3,402 posts
 
I have found 2-channel audio to work well for video. Higher sound quality per $$ spent. Only if one has a dedicated music/video room does the $$ spent provide a return on investment. Generally requires far greater $$ however. 
telescope_trade
555 posts
 
Might check out the Denon DRA-800H. It is a 2 ch receiver with HDMI, and lots of other features. I bought it as a hold me over, and IMO it really does not suck!! Read that how you want, but I think it’s pretty nice!! And is only $550. (Cheaper at some places)
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