Sony DA5300ES/S or Yamaha RX-V1800 or RX-V663

[callas01]

As already stated, the choice is gonna be yours, you need to hear them both. Meaning the 5300 and the 1800, I wouldn't be putting the 663 anywhere near the class of receivers those 2 are.

Sony tend to be very neutral sounding, and Yamaha's are on the warm side. It is a personal preference as to which you prefer. When I was shopping not to long ago, I listened to the major 4 brands on this site and yamaha was too warm for me, Onkyo was to edgy, the pioneer and sony where in the middle. I ended up choosing the Sony, but it was a hard choice.

Once again though, it was MY preference.