Thank you for all of the input within the responses.
Ya know...humbly, I have to admit... When disassembled, sometimes my opinions are basically conclusions based on assumptions, culled from points I have read, cobbled together from things that I suspect I know and believe. I seek out this forum for this very reason. I am glad that I was able to come up with something in my diatribe that resembled a truthism. The details about wattage power and where the money goes is a solid point.
And...in other news...
I do realize that my thoughts and flagrant aspersion about the Yamaha AS 701 was a bit careless and I needed to make my point (albeit misguided) differently and in the form of a question:
About my observation, I should have written: "When they apparently seem to be somewhat comparable units, I wonder why the Yamaha AS 701 costs half as much as the Marantz PM 8006"? That is how I needed to pose that thought.
I so miss the days of stereo stores. Since we all cannot wander into a Cal Stereo, Rogers Sound Labs, Now Sound or Federated and all of the rest, anymore...to stand there to listen...I have found that I try to find answers and guidance in hastily gathered numbers...and as I seek control...I pore over the notes...I simply get tangled up in specs.
Thanks for the honesty and push back. More reason to seek out this kind of forum and the seasoned knowledge within it. :)
Humbly,
vinylspin