A vintage receiver such as a Marantz or Yamaha, etc. will get you high quality sound for 2 channel audio. They have better build quality and power than today’s receivers, but do not have the features for HT such as 7.1 or digital capability.
The advice I can give you when choosing a modern receiver for HT is to look at its power supply. Many of these new receivers use a small PS or a SMPS (switch mode power supply) which is a digital device and is capable of powering all the functions including video, but does not have clean high power to produce quality audio.
The higher priced receivers may have a torroidal power supply with some balls to to produce quality audio and not just features for HT.
You need to read the specs and reviews.
And many receivers can produce high wattage, it’s the quality of that power with low noise and distortion that’s important.
The advice I can give you when choosing a modern receiver for HT is to look at its power supply. Many of these new receivers use a small PS or a SMPS (switch mode power supply) which is a digital device and is capable of powering all the functions including video, but does not have clean high power to produce quality audio.
The higher priced receivers may have a torroidal power supply with some balls to to produce quality audio and not just features for HT.
You need to read the specs and reviews.
And many receivers can produce high wattage, it’s the quality of that power with low noise and distortion that’s important.