These Yamaha integrateds are very good indeed, as those in depth reviews show, with for example a load independent frequency response that beats just about any amp on the market. Harbeth used an AS701 at the Bristol hifi show to demo their P3ESR, if only to make their point that you do not need an expensive amplifier for their speakers to sound their best.
I like those old Kenwood receivers. I have a KR3600 that I bought for very little years ago. It looks stunning, but there are the occasional noises from the volume control etc, but that may be because I no longer use it. Power output of that KR3600 is only 22 watt per channel, which is audibly anaemic.
The tuner part was always a big asset of these Kenwood receivers, but for me that no longer matters. I have come to the conclusion that on balance the higher bitrate internet radio stations sound at least as good as FM, even if the respective weaknesses of lossy internet radio and FM are not directly comparable. Internet radio will only get better, and you already have this enormous range of stations from all over the world.
I like those old Kenwood receivers. I have a KR3600 that I bought for very little years ago. It looks stunning, but there are the occasional noises from the volume control etc, but that may be because I no longer use it. Power output of that KR3600 is only 22 watt per channel, which is audibly anaemic.
The tuner part was always a big asset of these Kenwood receivers, but for me that no longer matters. I have come to the conclusion that on balance the higher bitrate internet radio stations sound at least as good as FM, even if the respective weaknesses of lossy internet radio and FM are not directly comparable. Internet radio will only get better, and you already have this enormous range of stations from all over the world.