Advice on replacing my Pioneer VSX-99

[pixelthis]

Pix, you need to get back out to the stores again, as I did. You know if you've followed my threads I have not been a Yamaha supporter except for maybe their budget CDP's. I typically do recommend Onkyo for their better than average amp section but the current Yamaha 2065 embarrassed the comparable Onkyo in sound quality. Maybe they put more refinement in the Integra but I was just in shock at how much better the Yamaha came off over the Onkyo.

I hear you P man.
But sound was never a problem with Yamaha any more than driving was for an
Alfa Romeo(walking when the Alfa broke was the problem).
I actually liked my last YAMMY, a rxv780 or so, but it seemed to be put together
by drunken monkeys. quit working all the time, after several attempts they said it was the digital board. Also when on an empty input I could hear crosstalk at average listening levels,
just sloppy in a modern receiver. But the detailed sound (some might say harsh) went
well with my B&w's. But after reading on several forums about reliability, I gave it up as a
bad job. My gear has to work , the music keeps the monsters away.
BESIDES, I have a pretty new INTEGRA, as soon as I can afford a preamp I am going to
start working on an audio only system, the Integra will be my sole HT power, my Emotiva
will be the power for an audio only system. Its always been about the music, and what
only a (at least slightly above average) audio system can do to you.
I want to get back to my roots while I still have some of my hearing, in other words.
I FInALLY figured out (actually several years ago) that the movies I like don't really
need a "hot" soundtrack, although it helps with a TARENTINO movie.
A receiver and eight year old speakers are fine. But thanks for the interest.
However my receiver days are over except for the occasional upgrade, I am turning back from the turn I made toward HT in the late eighties. BESIDES, BLU and its codecs
don't really require much to sound spectacular. MAYBE its nostalgia, but I want
the experience back that I enjoyed so much before HT, listening to music.
Now, about that spare Adcom....