I would have to go with yacmed on this one.
The onkyo receivers are top notch quality and you can find several variations at different price levels.
Although Pioneer makes some good multimedia products, their receivers don't have near the quality build as some other brands in similar price ranges (in my opinion). You can however use them as a double for an egg frying machine. They tend to run pretty hot.
All that aside, the Onkyo i have is sitting in a small concrete basement and with a short antenna that came with the receiver, i can pick up stations that even my car cannot while driving past the radio building in town.The FM reception is superb.
As for the brightness issue, i found that replacing my older cd player with a different, newer one dramatically changed the sound from high frequency to warmer tones (Technics and Panasonic audtioned alongside a Denon and the Denon was nice). I prefer the sharp clarity for home theatre myself.
I don't know how much bass you will be able to tone down with a knotted pine box room.
Good luck.
