which Brand of Reciever produces the Best Audio?

Yes, Rotel AVRs are highly musical. I did a side by side comparison last year with Marantz. While I love Marantz products and have a Blu-ray and a CD player (2 pcs) and did have an SR5600 AVR, I found the Rotel RSX-1057 to be more musical. It has more options and functions for music where the Marantz was definetly designed with HT and surround sound for video and home theater in mind. I went in to upgrade to a higher end Marantz AVR but walked out with a Rotel because music is far more important. It does well with HT also. No problem there. I then added an RMB-1075 multi-channel amp (120watts x 5 all channels driven) to the RSX-1057 and now the sound is super fantastic. Love it.

I have had a Marantz receiver and now currently use a Rotel RSX-1056 for HT and music. The Marantz receiver (2000 model year w/THX cert, forget the model number) crapped out w/ a blown motherboard and no replacement parts available right after the 5 yr warranty expired. Prior to that I'd gone through 2 Marantz DVD players -- both died. Moved on.

The Rotel has been rock solid and I really like the musicality of it, even though I have very low end B&W speakers (LCR6's Front and Center). I played trumpet throughout school including college so I have some reference to what sounds "real" or "musical", at least with band type music. The Rotel is musical, for a receiver anyway, and it is at a very nice price point, in my opinion.

Good luck.

I 2nd the NAD. I have the T775 and it absolutely blew my Pioneer Elite VSX92THX AWAY. Blew away every Denon, Sony ES, Onkyo and Yamaha as well. $3,000 but worth every penny. No frills and no video nonsense other than passing through a perfect signal. All goes into the audio.

I encountered the same issue Admranger had with my Marantz SR18 (2000 model? Yes, had THX).

I can't remember, but I think Marantz paid the cost of fixing (I paid shipping), even though it was past five years. Upon firing the fixed unit up for a second time, I got the same puff of smoke and another blown board. Marantz paid shipping the second time, and it's been working great since.

I never thought I'd buy another Marantz, but last month I did, an SR8002 for my new theater room (only $999 on amazon). For the price, I like that deal, but did consider Emotiva separates.