I don't get all the hate for class-d amps. I wonder if there were such feelings when SS first came out.
If you only want a dedicated 2 channel system, get the Classe. However, if you want a multichannel system with decoding of the digital audio formats, like Dolby HD and such, get the Pioneer. Several of the Pioneer models have pre-amp out. If you don't like the sound of the Class-D amps Pioneer supplies you can always get an aftermarket amp in the future.
Class-D amps are more expensive to produce the AB amps. The mid-fi companies are either producing them to waste money, marketing, or they believe they are better.
Meridian uses class-d, as does Mark Levinson, b&o, Classe, Burmester, MBL, Bryston, Audio Research and others. I don't think any of those companies are real slouches and would put out a bad product and risk their name.