I have had a pioneer elite VSX-35TX for about 3 years now. When I first got it..about 4 months in...it started making static noise through all the speakers at random times. So I sent it back...3 times. And the problem kept reoccuring. The final time it went back to Pioneer to have them look at it. Now I've had it for over a year since it has come back from Pioneer and it's been doing fine. I don't know what the problem was, but it's gone now. As far as sound goes...it's great. I've never had to turn it up much to get itto be really loud. I seems to have a ton of headroom and power to spare...for a measily 100 watts per channel (ha ha). I will buy another Pioneer when this one goes the way of the Do-Do. Just make sure you buy it from a good audio place..just in case. I had no problems with returning it and getting service for free. Not sure how Best Buy or someplace like that would handle it.
Hope this helps you when you decide!