What-HiFi haters, please don't bash me. This is purely for Anand's (OP) information, nor an opinion of my own.
In the latest version of WhatHiFi, they have done a group test of 7 AVRs:
Denon 1909
HK AVR 255
Onkyo 606
Pioneer 1018H
Sony STR DA2400ES
Yamaha 763
Yamaha 863
The Winners? Yamaha. According to WhatHifi, Yamaha has raised the bar to 'a virtually unassailable height'.
I have personally heard the 863 and the 663 many times. Both have identical sound signatures and are very good for movies and music alike.
Cheers