The one thing I learned over the years is to look for value. Especially when on a budget, the last thing you can afford to do is buy anything that doesn't really get you where you want to be. Which is why I say, forget multi-channel, and especially forget receivers. These things are pure crap. Sorry. But there simply are no good receivers, period.
What you want is a good $400 integrated amp. Stereo. Forget surround. For sure forget center channel. One is frippery, the other irrelevant. Any properly set up stereo is going to have a rock solid center image anyway. Any properly set up stereo is going to throw a sound stage at least as wide as the speakers.
You mention "love to feel our movies and games". Well you don't need no center channel, and certainly not dinky little surrounds, to feel it. For that you need bass. Which you can't afford if you spent money on dinky little surrounds and center that you don't need. So forget all that and get another couple subs.
You mention the sub after 5 years doesn't work. Guaranteed the sub works. The plate amp that powers the sub, different story. But you don't need the plate amp. You can connect directly to the sub and use that just fine. Ideally you would use a crossover, either the one inside the sub or DIY a simple crossover. But seriously, on a budget, turn the sub to face the wall and you can run it full range just fine. Maybe throw a blanket in there to muffle the midrange if you hear it, but whatever, you will have your bass back.
Unless of course where you want to be is surrounded by lots of wires and stuff. Above advice is if you want something that actually sounds good. Otherwise, nevermind.
What you want is a good $400 integrated amp. Stereo. Forget surround. For sure forget center channel. One is frippery, the other irrelevant. Any properly set up stereo is going to have a rock solid center image anyway. Any properly set up stereo is going to throw a sound stage at least as wide as the speakers.
You mention "love to feel our movies and games". Well you don't need no center channel, and certainly not dinky little surrounds, to feel it. For that you need bass. Which you can't afford if you spent money on dinky little surrounds and center that you don't need. So forget all that and get another couple subs.
You mention the sub after 5 years doesn't work. Guaranteed the sub works. The plate amp that powers the sub, different story. But you don't need the plate amp. You can connect directly to the sub and use that just fine. Ideally you would use a crossover, either the one inside the sub or DIY a simple crossover. But seriously, on a budget, turn the sub to face the wall and you can run it full range just fine. Maybe throw a blanket in there to muffle the midrange if you hear it, but whatever, you will have your bass back.
Unless of course where you want to be is surrounded by lots of wires and stuff. Above advice is if you want something that actually sounds good. Otherwise, nevermind.