i would agree with michael, to a point, i would say if your going to use the AVR's like he suggests, then invest in a good amp or 2, and use the latest AVR only as a processor, don't even use the amps that is included with the AVR, that is how i started, with a Marantz receiver, and amp. then changed to a NAD processor with the same Marantz amp. You could even get a couple of nice class A amps.. or maybe class AB..
lots of options, and lots of people with opinions :D.
definitely try to demo as much as you can, even different models and different price ranges from the same manufacture. You may discover, that no matter what you don't like what say sony has to offer, but the Yamaha's you do like. each manufacture will have a slightly different sound.
