What is the warmest receiver...

I'd give NAD a try too.

Sorry for not stating the speakers. I will be using Aurum Cantus speakers. They are china made but hi-fi (OEM for red rose). I wont have a chance to audition these speakers so it will be a leap of faith.

From another forum i learned that these speakers work best with tube amps. I am planning to use an integrated tube for stereo but will also be using it for HT so hence the receiver. With that I just assumed that the warmest receiver will do the trick he he he. Is that a stupid assumption?

Budget is around hmmm 20-30K for the 5.1 receiver. How much is the NAD? I know Rotel is now out of reach. Denon and HK are my other choices then right?

these are Bookshelf speakers

B&K has the best sound quality among mainstream receivers, but they are pricey (only one model 507 at >$3K). If you want warm, musical sound for less money, try H&K 7200 or 8000. For movies, I think Denon is better than HK, but HK is more musical and smooth for the same or less money.

Let's face it, FM broadcast is pure crap. You can pick up a second hand Audiolab pre amp and an Audiolab amplifier (both of which are for sale at Audiogon) and you'll cream your pants.

Homer, you don't know how right you are. I recently got a tour of WQED pittsburgh, FM 89.3. I couldn't believe it! Their reference speakers in the studio were B&W 801's , yet they were using dual sony single bit 300 disc changers for air play. Not even an external dac. They were so proud that they were in the process of putting everything on a hard drive to save efforts and the fact that they burn up 300 disc changers. Wow, what's worse than a cheap 300 disc unit? How about using them to compress the recordings onto a hard drive and really lose the resolution.