THIS IS MY OPININION ONLY!!!!I did have a Top of the line "bells and whistles" Yamaha 5 channel reciever before I purchased the 950/770 combo. I have a friend who has a Mcintosh amp and pre-amp and a friend who has the exact same amp and pre-amp I just purchased a short week and a half ago ( The Outlaw).
Now although I always was rather partial to the big blue meters on the Mac, the system did not seem very versitale to my kind of system, and my kind of room (27by 15).His room was square 15 by 15. It cost him 4800.00 just for the combo. I'm don't think price should really be the factor in high end or middle of the road.You will have the oppurtunity to audition the OUTLAW in your own home for 30 days.
Hands down my listening space is way better than both of my buds.I must have at LEAST 200 music DVD's and over 1000 CD's which impress me with every playing. MY OPINION ONLY!!!! I will say this , I do drive the best Motorcycle in the world anyway.