Home Theater Preamp/amp advice.

What are you using for speakers and source?How is your room set up?What are you looking for soundwise?This info will get better responses from others.Personally,if I had $2000.00 to spend,I'd be looking for a really good 5.1 integrated.BTW,I am not nor do I claim to be an expert!!!!

J,
T is correct. The vitals are really important.
Room dim's, a diagram with some specificity, speakers you'll be using, seating arrangements.
Your basic question can be answered by saying, Yamaha is good, not at all like several years ago when it had a very hot high end. Denon is good, Marantz has been good for a long time now. The Marantz is more user friendly than the Yamaha.

If you can share more I'll be happy to suggest.

Best,
Larry

Integra DTR 8.9 or 9.9 or Onkyo TX-nr3007 would be right about at your purchase point if you want new and latest features.

But once we understand your speakers and room, we might recommend some used gear or some of "last years" models.

For less than $2,000, you might be able to pick up a Theta Casanova Pre-Pro and a Theta Intrepid 5 ch Amp.