Help choosing receiver

I like onkyo 800 or above - won the receiver of the year at a hifi magazine for under 1k. Smooth and rich.

Outlaw 1050 is also nice - I see here for sale now and then.

I also like this new digital amp - panasonic sa-xr45 ($300 shipped on the web) Although not that powerful, has a pleasant smooth sound, with a great bass. Some are replaceing a few thousand units with this. A lot is written about it on here and www.audioasylum.com

Used NAD T751 is my favorite, mostly because its EARS 2ch-to-5.1 algorithm is a winner. Around $400, $500 discounted new, if you can find a leftover.

Been looking closely at Denon 2803 and 3802....also the Onkyo 701, would these three rival same budget Pioneer Elite or Yamaha ?
I think I should forget about the Sony.

Thanks,