Those B & W 700 series speakers are a very difficult load. There is no receiver that can drive them safely.
You are making unfounded blanket statement again?
To the OP, pleas try this
Calculator to see if the Marantz or Pioneer can do the job for you. It depends heavily on:
- seating distance
- the individual's spl requirement from the main seat
I would agree the 705, is not the easiest speaker to drive but I don't see it being too difficult either compared to many speakers that can be powered with AVRs depending on the conditions listed above, and of all people I am sure you know that very well.
Also, regardless of the OP's spl requirement, say he need two Mc1.25KW McIntosh mono blocks, the safety you need to worry about it not really the amp but the speaker itself. On the other hand, if he listens to even just 10 dB below reference that is still loud for a lot of people, and sits 10 ft from the 705s, then even an AVR such as the 130 W rated Pioneer can drive those speakers adequately, based on an extremely conservative 130 W into 8 ohms and 65 W into 4 ohms capability.
B&W 705 specs:
Sidebar 1: Specifications
www.stereophile.com
Sensitivity: 89 dB/2.83V/m
Power handling: 50-120W
Impedance/Phase angle vs frequency: