You could get 100 responses to this. Most will tell you when it comes to Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, HK, and a few other higher scale receivers, the only thing you need to choose is the features you want, the power you need, and the price you want to spend.
Every one of the above named receivers is a quality item that will last a long time if properly maintained, and could provide COUNTLESS hours of audio/video pleasure.
They probably didn't use an Onkyo because they thought they didn't need certain features on it and could find another name brand cheaper, or the Onkyo didn't have a feature that could be found on another brand at a similar price.
I currently have a Denon and Onkyo, had a Yamaha, and my cousin has an HK. You won't go wrong with any of them.
