Budget friendly receiver choice

kraftwerturbo - I forgot to mention, the new Onkyo AVR I just got does bi-amping, as mine is set up that way.  Through Monitor Audio Silver speakers and a 12 inch SVS sub it sounds great.  When I got the new Samsung TV and saw it supported the new HDMI 2.1 standard, I wanted a new AVR that would support it but not break the bank, hence the new Onkyo purchase.  They’ve had reliability issues in the past, but since their old parent company Gibson went bankrupt they have since been purchased by the Premium Audio Company/Sharp Electronics and so far their new lines are doing well, though to be fair, it’s too soon to tell.  I’ve had nothing but Sony AVR’s prior to this and they have been rock solid, never had a single problem in decades.  I’ve got two gathering dust in my basement that I’ve replaced with better/newer tech, they still work perfectly. Unfortunately they don’t make anything in the 2.1 standard or I would have bought another one.  They may even be getting out of the AVR business.  Good luck whatever decision you make!

Bob

anotherbox, how did you 'manage' bi amping (what connections used) with the Onkyo TX NR6100? Looks fairly 'meager' connections (used to seeing 7 pre outs): 

@kraftwerkturbo - if the Onkyo is like the Denons and if I'm not mistaken, you can reconfigure the Zone 2 outputs to provide the second biamp signal for the front speakers.  (don't quote me on it, though - just going out on a limb)

The Anthem MRX 710 slipped through my hands. 

I scored an Onkyo TX-RZ81, which seemed to fit my wish list. Have not hooked it up yet. Has bi amping (zone 2 amps used, selectable in menu), should have decent power (not sure how it handles low impedance), has 4k pass through. Pre out for all channels. 

Best of luck with that and hope it doesn’t give you problems down the road.  🤞🤞🤞.  Sometimes it’s pay me now or pay me later, but I wish you the best of luck with your choice.