If you need features, Onkyo or Marantz is good, if you want more power, than you can consider Cambridge Audio's 551R (although its price tag exceed your budget by slightly more than 2k)
I was using Marantz before. But I guess that is just good for music. Not the perfect AMP for cross mix between Music / Movie.
If you like to watch movie, better go with Pioneer. I recently purchase the VSX922. The best AMP ever. Even good to drive my HUGE speakers.
Pioneer VSX922 | EISA Award 2012-2013, Best HIFI Receiver of the Year
There is a solid reason why I believe Pioneer is better than Onkyo. Pioneer is easier to setup. User interface is better. iPhone and iPad APP is the best as describe by all AV magazines. If looking at paying the same price, you are getting a much better value in Pioneer but not Onkyo.