IMHO all of the current receivers, integrated amps, and separate pre-amps suck at reproducing 2-channel audio. Almost any $200 Pioneer, Sansui, Yamaha or Marantz receiver from the 70's will blow away anything out there today. There were other companies, but these "top 4" are readily available and many are still serviceable. And talk about reliable, the fact that many are still performing as well today as they did back then is saying a lot. Not to mention they all have great tuners, and are very user friendly, and most can handle numerous inputs. A $2000 Yamaha, Sony ES, Denon, etc. built today just cannot compare for 2-channel audio.
The new stuff uses IC chips and chip line sections in their amp sections. And they all sound bad. If that isn't bad enough they typically digitize the signal and then convert it back to analog.
Yes, the 80's discrete separates are better. A PS Audio pre along with a GAS, Threshold, or Nakamichi STASIS amp will flat out BLOW AWAY the best thats out there today. About the only receiver in the 80's that could hold a candle to these was the Sony STR-GX10ES.
I want an amp with an all analog section with discrete outputs. Leave the digital to analog conversion to a different device. Am I right folks?
For those who want 7.1 for home theater. Use a pre-amp processor to take care of the digital stuff with analog outs and mono-block amps with discrete outputs.
These overpriced monster home theater receivers need to go.. I can't stand it anymore... Too many people on too many forums think that their Denon 7.1 receiver that they paid $5000 for is the "bee knees" when in fact a $200 receiver built almost 40 years ago smokes it, and separates built 25 years ago which can be had for under $1000 beat them into submission for 2-channel audio.