Best sounding processor

A lot of people favor Marantz but I find it harsh and bright sounding.

Sorry @erik_squires, but no. Just...no. I worked for Magnolia for a bit, and of all the AVRs out there Marantz was the LEAST harsh and bright sounding — polar opposite actually — so I’d like to know how you’re coming up with this assessment because it’s just COMPLETELY counter to all my actual experience.

wouldnt it sound better with tubes? I now use a tube preamp which is a nice added layer on top of av processor.

So @emergingsoul, how do ya like burning those tubes for TV and movie watching? That’d grind my gears, but that’s me.

Soix,

Tubes add more more life, vibrance, fuller and better vocals within music.  Is flattish absent tubes. 
 

you need some oil for yur gears. 

I agree that marantz is anything but bright and harsh. If anything, it has the reputation of being on the warm and comfortable side. I own a 5012 as my Atmos. 5.1.2 HT receiver and use a pm7000n super integrated amp in my office 2 ch system. Very happy with both. For my more serious 2ch systems I shoot higher but I really like the two marantz units I use for their applications

Marantz level of ht detail is poor. Avm 90 looks promising, whenever avail.

A lot of people favor Marantz but I find it harsh and bright sounding.  Listen for yourself. 

Fail.  Except the last sentence, which if you do, you'll find that Marantz leans toward the warm side.  I've never heard a "bright" Marantz component.  I have an AV7704 in my main HT system and a KI-Pearl SACD player. 

If you do go with a Marantz processor, search for a shootout between the 77XX series and 88XX.  The bottom line was that everyone in the group was unable to detect any sonic differences between the two series, so unless you need some connections or features on the 88XX series that aren't included in the 77XX series, you're better off going with the 77XX unit.