I myself considered going with this unit - great price can be had. ALso, had an external Marantz 120x2 amp, but sold it off as I changed directions.
I recall a link that showed actual ratings for power at 5 channels driven showing the Marantz doing well - just as well as it's big brothers in output. Guess it comes down to the bells and whistles.
The shop I bought my speakers from, a place that's been around and been a dealer for most everything one time or another stated that he thought that Marantz is the best under 1000.
