You’ll get the best results using a dedicated amp for the front 3 but I’m not very optimistic about finding a “cheap” receiver with pre outs to drive it with. I was in the same boat about a year and a half ago … looking for an inexpensive receiver with preouts … ended up spending $700 for a refurb. Seems that receivers with preouts start at 1k (at least in my search back then) I’ll look at it tomorrow and see if it can drive a 4 ohm speaker. If money is an issue i think it best to by a receiver that can drive 4ohms and has preouts. Then add an amp later.
+1 (ditto rr's thoughts)
I just bought a used Denon X4400H this past year (replacing an old Onkyo circa 2002! which was 6.1 capable). The Denon cost exactly $1000 Cdn (again it was used and is about two years old but has 4k, current Dolby Atmos specs which i probably won't even need since i'm stopping at a 7.2 config).
Finding a NEW AVR with pre-outs, prices start at the $1k mark. Onkyo tends to be a bit cheaper than Denon, but both can drive the M80s fine. If you get an AVR with pre-outs, then using your Macintosh (
https://skyfiaudio.com/products/mcintosh-mc2105-solid-state-vintage-amplifier-restored-and-upgraded) would take a load off the AVR.
Try to keep in mind that maybe this AVR will cost $1000-2000, but unless you are a person that always wants the latest cutting edge all the time, a 4k AVR bought today will be good for a decade or more. Most of the tv we have here is still just in 1080i. I suspect 8k will take quite some time to catch on and eventually get into mainstream as people are just getting moved towards 4k now even though the concept has been out for years.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/736142/4k-ultra-hdtv-us-household-penetration/
