Which of these HT receivers is best for stereo listening

Originally Posted by efc

I've always been a two-channel guy. But now I'm moving into a new place where the living room is bigger and I grudgingly accepted that I will need a center-channel speaker in order to hear the TV dialogue properly. My setup will be either 3.0 or 3.1. I have no interest yet in the surround channels.

I've been doing a research on HT receivers in the $400 to $800 range. It seems that my choices are Yamaha (663/863), Onkyo (605/705/805), Denon, Marantz and HK (don't remember the models). Out of these brands, which one do you think is best for music in the stereo mode? I know that NAD and Rotel may be better, but they are above my price range. Thanks.

Originally Posted by gunbunnysoulja

For stereo music, (IMO) I would put them in this order, from best to worst:

Marantz, HK, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo

Originally Posted by Southern Spy

Checkout Cambridge Audio 540 V3 - at top of your price range but offers best SQ in it's class

Originally Posted by Southern Spy

Checkout Cambridge Audio 540 V3 - at top of your price range but offers best SQ in it's class

Originally Posted by lwm99

If I read correctly elsewhere, the HDMI on 540 V3 only does video pass through, no audio at all. So it can't receive LPCM, say from a PS3, through HDMI. I will seriously consider it if not for this "lack of feature". Please correct me if my understanding is wrong.