Concerning amplification, I'm biased towards Pioneer Elite receivers. I've had 2 Pioneer Elites and 1 Denon. I believe the sound quality provided by the upper quality Pioneer beats the Denons dramatically. My current one was purchases around 2 years ago and is one of the SC models with 140 wpc.
For some reason, probably the difference between Denon's Audyssey and Pioneer's MCACC, I found the Denon's to be much brighter sounding and not to my liking at all. More bass also with the Pioneer and a much fuller sounding system.
This is only my opinion, of course, but where I've found sonic pleasure.
