Looks like things haven't changed much from 2011. Integra is up to 80.6, and every other manufacturer mentioned has followed suit in iterative fashion. Add 4K, Atmos, etc. Or have they? The Integra 80.6 quietly downgraded Audyssey XT32 for something cheaper, for example.
My question: I’m looking to replace a slowly dying Onkyo PR-SC885 without spending a lot (around $1K – new, refurbished, or used). Back in the day I owned a Integra RDC-7 that sounded very sweet. I don't know if it was the Apogee low jitter clock,or what, but I do miss that sound. I sold it because I wanted HDMI, and although the Onkyo failed to impress musically I’ve lived with it for years. I use it for movies mostly.
The contenders, price-wise, seem to be Integra’s 80.3, Marantz 7702, and Yamaha CX-A5000. I don’t need Atmos, DTS-X, or Auro 3D. I did like the sound of a H&K receiver I owned recently, but they don’t make separates. I also own a Marantz receiver and it sounds OK for music. Movies-great, but all of them sound great on movies. Any advice will be appreciated.