You can't really compare a receiver to the equivalent in price in a separate pre/pro because the receiver has all those amp stages that have to be paid for somehow. You can save $$ on digital as better software/chips are developed since the cost of the hardware is essentially the same. But power components *do not* obey that equation.

If you're buying 7 channels worth of power components in the receiver, they're making up the cost somewhere else.

Sonic quality of the 950 is outstanding. You wouldn't regret a purchase.