Reddit mentions of Yamaha RX-V485 5.1-Channel AV Receiver with MusicCast

I would do 5.1 - you have quite a few choices.
Do you want floorstanding speakers for your front speakers or bookshelf speakers either on stands or on your entertainment center?

If you are open to a refurbished receiver you have even more options.

Under $1k Complete system including price of speaker wire and HDMIs, tax and shipping

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv483bl/yamaha-rx-v483-5.1-ch-x-80-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Surround-Including-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B016OQ17FU

Or

https://www.amazon.com/Jamo-Studio-803-HCS-BLK-Cinema/dp/B07JJ5VKHL

Plus

https://www.amazon.com/Infinity-SUB-R10-Reference-10/dp/B00K7F63CM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MTKXTN5


I am running an All Micca speaker 5.2 system but it costs as Much as the above 5.0 speakers packages and those will be a lil Better.........

5.1 in this Video and Iphone recording does not convey sound quality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp9__MF0RGQ

If you have an entertainment Center/tv stand big enough nothing wrong with R/ C /L being on tv stand although you want to spread R/L out as far as possible within reason........

If you don’t want a refurb receiver - New is more $

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V485BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-MusicCast/dp/B07CF9H3KW

Still under $1K with this one :

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V385-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B07BNXXJKB

Sounds like you would like a nice 2.1 setup that will sound better than your old stuff. 1.5 to 2k budget is very reasonable. Here is what I would look at.

AMP - Denon AVR-X1500H $300 or a Yamaha RX-V485 $400 - The Denon has Audyssey room correction to really get the most out of the speakers. The Yamaha is simple and easy to use.

Speakers - Choose one

• KEF Q150 $300 - On sale! These sound fantastic and won't break the bank. There is a lot of the same tech from the LS50 in these and it shows. I happen to be partial to the white but get whatever color you want.
  
• KEF R100 $600 - The R series for a deal. I don't know how much better than the Q150's these are but they should sound wonderful.
  
  Sub - Make things go boom!
  
  
• Rythmik L12 $560 - Small sealed and server controlled for nice tight bass.
  
• Rythmik F12-300 $700 - The next level up in the Rythmik line.
  
• SVS SB1000 $500 - One or two choice is yours. Their entry level sub
  
• SVS SB 2000 $700 - The step up...more power more volume.
  
• SVS SB3000 $1000 - Because screw it I only want one sub and fell like shaking the house.
  
• KEF Kube12B refurb $550 - If you want to be all matchy, matchy.

the answer on the v385 is that it does not. it seems to be lacking the networking features required. i'm sending it back and have order the 485. will report back on its viability.

the information reported was that the rx-v85 series av receivers would support airplay 2. this is only partly true. i would consider the 385 to be part of the series. i believe the key is that the receiver needs to support MusicCast

485 with MusicCast:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V485BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-MusicCast/dp/B07CF9H3KW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=rx-v485&qid=1558698583&s=gateway&sr=8-3

385 without MusicCast:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V385-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B07BNXXJKB/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=rx-v385&qid=1558698623&s=gateway&sr=8-2

What is your budget? I just installed a $1100 Yamaha/NHT 5.1 setup for my gaming computer and love it. Music is crystal clear. Not flat at all, very neutral. You could save a few bucks and get the RX-V385 if you don't want Music Cast.

Receiver

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V485BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-MusicCast/dp/B07CF9H3KW

Front an Surrounds

https://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-1-Mini-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B00CKNOYWK

Center

https://www.amazon.com/NHT-Super-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B00QHDC32C

Sub

https://www.amazon.com/NHT-SS-10-10-inch-Subwoofer-Laminate/dp/B019C5LY7G