Eric, welcome. In my view you should disregard the absurdities which you've read elsewhere(I've also read them and laughed)that some excellent receivers aren't "musical". If music is being played they're all "musical". If you prefer the features of one of the receivers that you've mentioned, buy it, but don't imagine that for some mysterious reason music is going to sound better.
Also, you don't have to worry about compatibility problems with a possible future power amp. As long as a receiver has pre-outs to drive a separate amp, it's compatible with it regardless of the nameplate.
