Sony ES serie !! The beveled aluminium front panel with a minimalist arrangement of controls makes this one of the most attractive AV receivers we've seen. Build quality is equally impressive.
The list of features includes seven channels of 100W amplification, HDMI video switching with support for 1080p signals and video up-conversion from composite and S-Video to component, which will improve the picture quality from your analogue sources. There's also an excellent automatic calibration system that sets up the receiver more quickly and accurately than any other model we've come across at this price point. The receiver creates an almost three-dimensional sound stage using far-reaching dynamics, seamless steering and tightly gripped low frequencies. Whatever film soundtrack you're playing, it never sounds strained or coloured, even at high volumes. There is plenty of power to spare, too -- subtleties are not left ignored with outstanding detail, especially in the midrange. 
Add commendable two-channel performance to the equation and this is one of the class leaders in the bracket of AV receivers.