Anyways, the blind test was between the Yammy rx-v3800 , Denon 3808, and Pioneer Elite vsx-94txh. The differences were very slight, and not discernable until reasonably loud (which I listen to). Being played through the speakers I was going to buy (Sonus Faber Concertino Domus) I noticed an audible difference between the receivers on the same Audioslave song in the vocals primarily.
I don't want to beat this to death, yes this was blind which is good. But it doesn't take in to account whether the receivers were calibrated to be played back at the exact same volume. Most times when there's a slight increase in volume during comparisons the louder one is chosen to be better...
By the look of your write up you were comparing the receivers in depth and did your homework on them. As long as anyone gets the receiver that fits their needs and are happy with it is all that matters.
