I AM LOOKING AT THE PIONEER ELITE VSX-74TXV AT 140W AND A MARANTZ SR8500 AT 125W. I LEAN TOWARDS THE MARANTZ BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION AND, IT MAY SOUND SILLY, IT HAS A HEADPHONE JACK. DOES 15WATTS/CHANNEL REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Base your choice on what differences you hear in SQ and of course price. Those two receivers are pretty much in the same class. They should do a good job of taming bright speakers too.