I’d say it is extremely use friendly, if you aren’t paying attention to what it’s doing vs. what you think it should be doing.

In that sense, it is a plug and play system.  

Take careful note of the type of Audyssey each Marantz model has and the features. The low end Audyssey isn’t as flexible.

I have read , a while ago , that for 2 channels music , Audio Control

was very good

Concert XR-4 7.1.4

May be more expensive than Marantz ,Denon, Yamaha .... but ....

Just to be clear, I am looking for a reciever for HT only.  Nothing to do with 2 channel music.

Well , I misread your need's description  .

I thought you were looking at HT Receiver that was also  very good for 2 channel music.         

My bad .

@erik_squires continuing to do some more research with your suggestion of Marantz, I'm leaning toward the Cinema 50 which seems to fit my system perfectly.  If also has Dirac Live Room correction capability which should be an upgrade.  Do you recommend Dirac Live?  

All of this said. I'm continuing to be impressed by my simple, and several years old, Denon AVR-x3700h as I watch movies.