Looking for a used AUDIOPHILE AV Receiver

Some select comments

(1) I would highlight that ONKYO AVRs as a likely must-to-avoid. It’s HDMI and related motherboard failures are legendary, to the point that the company grudgingly admitted the same. Here is a sampler epic lengthy thread of bad experiences

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=29836&hilit=Onkyo%2C+another+one+...

(2) ARCAM’s AVR problems were not a simple design deficiency and not any pure engineering FUHBAR. Rather it shared a common issue affecting most AVRs since they were outsourced to be built in the cheapest-you-can-go arena and that triggered the problems: made in China.

Thus was regrettably poor Chi-Fi AVR build quality that was twofold: Cheap quality components subbed in at the ChiFi plants and dodgy assembly workmanship. NOTE: The HDMI boards eventually fail on just about every ChiFi AVR.

It got so bad that ARCAM capitulated and moved back to the UK  its top FMJ AVR unit production initially outsourced to China in face of mounting warranty claims .

The "top" build quality AVRs are regrettably uber-expensive, all north of $6k ( e,g ARCAM AVR 750, KRELL, CARY etc.) they perform top-shelf but AVRs change their CODECs and current models quickly become obsolete . The high buy-in cost in the face of rapid obsolescence make them a questionable buy for many of us.

Check out Cambridge Audio for your AVR. You may even find it suitable for 2-channel. You never know.

as per akg, the arcam sounds vg, and you can find "em within your budget, but there is alot of anecdotal scut about their reliability; likewise nad which sound fine when they actually work. i'd opt for anthem, which is significantly better made than its asian peers.

another brand to look out for is rotel.
the rsx-1550 is particularly good sound, no reliability problems.
the only drawback is that it was built for sound and has no luxuries like auto-setup etc.

I would highly recommend Anthem. I have the AVM 60 and it's a fantastic pre/pro and sounds great. I have a very good 2 channel/multimedia setup and am continually impressed by the sound of the Anthem. Since my DAC will function as a pre, I compare the sound from my PS Audio Directstream hooked directly into my Mcintosh power amp to running it through the Anthem. I honestly prefer the Anthem, mainly due to the sub integration and ARC DSP, which is fantastic. You will have a hard time getting your hands on an AVM 60, I think, but the AVM 50 is out there and is a great unit. I'd warn against Onkyo because of sound quality and reliability issues. Yamaha Aventage is pretty good, but the YPAO is not on par with the Anthem's ARC. Yamaha has a nice overall sound, though. Marantz makes nice AVR's and you would probably be happy with one of the more recent models. Good luck!