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I would like to know how the MARANTZ SR-4021 compares with the YAMAHA RX-497 Stereo Receiver?

Which one would you go with?

The only rational answer to this question is that you should go with the one that sounds best to you, has the features you most like, and so on. Others may prefer one over the other for their own reasons, but that's not going to help you much.

From my knowledge of the stereophile-type crowd, most people would be offended that you consider Yamaha to be anywhere close to a Marantz

I guess these are both solid state, so there would be no difference in sound quality. Base your decision on features or price or looks, or whatever else you think is important - your post doesn't say what you're looking for.

Do you mean Yamaha is considered better or the other?

I think he means Marantz is considered better - at least I've heard of lots of prideful Marantz people. They have a fan club. They're good, I had a great one. But now I think my next one will be a Yamaha because it has the features I want and I'm convinced it will sound the same, if not just as good.

I agree. Many would consider Marantz a more "Audiofile" brand, in for example a straight stereo setup. Yamaha might be considered more mainstream in hometheater or professional use. If your years can't decided let you wallet

I am a happy owner of a few Yamaha Natural Sound receivers from the 1990s. However, my next purchase will probably be an Onkyo because I can get one at a deeply discounted price and they have a very good reputation. I do not consider myself a hifi expert or a connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, though.

Yes, that's what I meant.