woochifer, funny you should mention people talking about problems with Sony receivers. The reason I bought my Denon was to replace a Sony. I bought it new in '99, and it already crapped out on me. Little did I know Sony was already deep into this cheap thing by then. I bought the unit mainly based on Sony's name. I obviously don't know if the Denon will outlast the Sony yet, but I do know it has more power and sounds better. If it doesn't last, maybe I'll be in here bashing as well.