Hello, yes I prefer the A3070 over the AVR550 for multi-channel surround sound. AVR550 for music. But the A3070 is good enough for me for stereo music and a very capable performer in this regard. The AVR550 is stereo heaven for me, though and I cannot see the need (never heard one in my room, mind) for a dedicated stereo amp for music if you have the AVR550.
After the issues I have had with receivers (not liking Audyssey at all - I felt it robbed too much of the speakers natural response and room sound like Dirac, NAD T 758 V3 (my unit and the store unit) having a constant irritating and ear damaging high pitched whine, finding the A3080 OSD and remote a step down from the A3070's and frustrating to use) you would have to pry the A3070 and my Anti-Mode 8033-SII from me, and I fear when I eventually need to switch receivers for processing/ video/ audio format support. I am hoping Yamaha keeps things tight and steady with their Adventage line-up and just keeps improving on what they currently have. It will be hell for me if they ever introduced Dirac into their AVRs, though highly doubtful someone told me.
I found the Denon X4400H poor in comparison to the A3070, the audio fidelity and soundstage of the A3070 I find far superior. Again XT32 gave me a headache and I found it overcompensating and sucking the midrange out of my sound, even with midrange compensation off. I could also never dial in clear treble, which also sounded processed and veiled. And the AVR550, as above, and a steep learning curve which was good to learn and gain experience with. But everything I threw into it could not make me like the multi-channel sound. I also found the overall sound quite processed in comparison to my A3070. I was told that a major element of what I did not like about it, the veiled sound, especially from surround channels, was due to the current version of Dirac.
I think the A3080 is a complete waste of money at the price it was when I owned it a month or two ago. In essence the A3070 is exactly the same receiver minus a few connections/ plus some more.
@Tristan45, apart from my last point about the A3080 and A3070, ultimately I really do not think you should listen to anything I just said and try and hear things for yourself. Otherwise, just take it with a pinch of salt like anyone else's experience.
@ShanePJ, sorry, I did receive your last message but have not got around to reading it yet.
Best wishes,
fallinlight