which receiver new $1k or under

You really can't go wrong with Marantz or Yamaha..... I might also add Onkyo to your list as well.  Some very good options at that price range b/t the 3.

Yes I agree with Auxinput especially when it comes to sources. Marantz CD/SACD players seem to be warmer and more musical than say Oppo Digital and even Rotel. I’ve had all brands and Marantz seems to really be built for the music. NAD also. Receivers same sentiment.  

I think in that price range, I'd recommend either the Yamaha RX-A1070, the Onkyo TX-RZ820, or the Marantz SR6011. These are all just slightly north of your 1k budget, but not by much, and give you a lot of performance for the dollar.

or... look for last year's model on close out or a factory refurb of those 3 and save even more

Personally, I would go Yamaha too.

But Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Sony are pretty good too.

But like Randy has said, if you want to save money (and I shop the same way), I would take a look at last year’s as well, before I the current and newer model, as they hardly ever change the features that extensively.

They may add a feature or two every year trickling down the model line, and sometimes they don’t change the features at all, they just change the model number from last year’s model to this year’s model number.

--Charles--