You'd be better served by finding something for just two channels (at $50 or $100 or whatever budget) if you really just want it for stereo / sound.
Out of curiosity, what speakers do you have? Especially with today's digital media, it's going to be a bright sound depending on your speakers.
Before I decided to upend my life and leave near chet-like money on the table by heading out on my own, I was looking to a new multi-channel receiver (was looking at Anthem, Integra, Pioneer Elite though always liked more craft made small brands if/when I can find them and trust them). Right now, I am using a mid-90's NAD, which has surprisingly decent sound (not nearly as bright as the Japanese brands like Denon or Onkyo) and is 5 channel - but limited power to the rear speakers.
As for stereo, I have some stuff from around 2000-2002 with no bells and whistles, but in terms of pure audio, not sure that much has really advanced since then as it pertains to stereo (i.e. Im using a tubed-pre amp from Audible Illusions, don't even think it's made anymore but would have retailed around $2-2,500 probably when new, I bought it used for $850, and that's paired with a now nearly 15 year old McCormick DNA 0.5 which was about $1,200 or so, don't remember. Anyway, I need to get the tubed pre-amp repaired so that's on the shelf for now).
FWIW, my speakers (again, I don't think that much has changed in terms of underlying speaker tech over the last 15-20 years) are by a company that has gone out and now back in business, NHT (NHT 2.5i's) - they are still about as good as anything I hear for under $2000-3000, but are really bright if paired with a bright source, just a very revealing speaker.
