Suggestions for audiophile grade receiver for Home theater setup

Think about a Marantz AV pre-processor and separate power amplifiers.  I use a 2-channel Krell for my main speakers, and a six channel Perreau for the rest.  No centre channel for me!

High performance stereo preamp with HT Bypass and your AVR doing surround duties.   Only way to get great sound with stereo sources and really good surround.  

I set up my Dad's McIntosh MA8950  with an Anthem 540.   It sounds awesome in surround and no compromise with stereo sources.  

Good suggestions all around.  As noted:

Use theater bypass on the 2 channel amp.

Buy separates if you can for the surround system.  from low to high: Marantz, Anthem, Storm, Lyngdorf, Trinnov.

The sub is tricky, as noted.  I have them wired to both the 2 channel preamp and surround processor.  No perfect way to do this.

I have done all of this and am still upgrading:  Custom designed and constructed 17' by 16' theater,  Simaudio 891, 2 Simaudio 761 bridged, Sonus Faber Serafino. for the 2 channel,  Yamaha CXA5200 processor, MXA5200 11 channel amp (using 8 channels only for ceiling and surroiund), Simaudio 400M for center channel, Sonus Faber Olympica Nova CII center channel speaker, older surround and ceiling speakers, 2 SVS SB16 Ultra subs, JVC DLA-NX700 projector, 120"" screen, Kaleidescape Strato V, madVR Envy Core, custom cables for key components, mostly Bluejeans for the rest.  70 amps of power, custom ventilation system.  7.2.4 system,  Whew!

Upgrade plans over next year replace the Yamaha processor and amp with Trinnov Altitude16 and Amplitude 16, replace surround and ceiling speakers with Sonus Faber.

Maybe someday, upgrade to 4 subs, perhaps SVS  SB17.  Consider upgrading Sonus Faber Serafino so Amati Supreme, when my rich uncle dies (just kidding).

Now, I designed all of this and did much of the installation.  This was 17 years in the making with lots of help from some of the best people in my area and nationally.  Calibration is best done by professionals.  I use it for hours every day for classical music, movies, sports, etc.

Final word of advice, gets lots of help from consultants and then make your own decisions.  Have fun with it!

Happy holidays everybody!

100% Marantz with the Dirac upgrade. Recently swapped out an Anthem 1140 for Marantz AV 20 and AMP 20. Huge upgrade. Anthem’s ARC is good but no comparison to Dirac Live, especially now with the Dirac ART package.

McIntosh makes AV components, some with room correction as well.