What is the warmest receiver...

my exerience over the years from having sold Denon, yamaha, Rotel, Marantz, was that the Denon's used to be the "warm sounding" receivers! The Rotel was somewhere in themiddle between the Denon's warm'ish, slightly rolled off top end, and fat'ish bottom end toned sound, and the Yamaha's cool'ish, slightly hollow mid, and tipped up trebble sound!..that's about right.
However, every years things seem to change a bit.
Last Yamaha and Denon comparison I heard was between the flagship Yamaha RX1 and 5803 Denon. And, to my suprise, it was quite the oposite! The Yam was slightly rolled off, and the Denon was more extended on top!...if more neutral sounding.
still, I believe the latest Yamaha RXV1200/1400/2400, etc, are still that same "coolish" and slightly bright sound that I was used to from them. And, I think the AVR's in the lower price points were warmer than the Yamaha's. But you might ask around at others experiences.
The Marantz's seemed to be between the two, maybe a pinch better than what I heard from the Rotel's lately, but that's my experience.
I heard the HK's at Circuit City the other day, and that sounded a bit like the Marantz's at the lower price points...hummmmmm..
Good luck.
You might look into the Outlaw audio piece, which might be "disco'd" though...not sure. I seem to rember it was a good piece from what I heard.

I'll concur on Marantz as well. Also at higher price point Magnum Dynalab

I'd give NAD a try too.

Sorry for not stating the speakers. I will be using Aurum Cantus speakers. They are china made but hi-fi (OEM for red rose). I wont have a chance to audition these speakers so it will be a leap of faith.

From another forum i learned that these speakers work best with tube amps. I am planning to use an integrated tube for stereo but will also be using it for HT so hence the receiver. With that I just assumed that the warmest receiver will do the trick he he he. Is that a stupid assumption?

Budget is around hmmm 20-30K for the 5.1 receiver. How much is the NAD? I know Rotel is now out of reach. Denon and HK are my other choices then right?

these are Bookshelf speakers

B&K has the best sound quality among mainstream receivers, but they are pricey (only one model 507 at >$3K). If you want warm, musical sound for less money, try H&K 7200 or 8000. For movies, I think Denon is better than HK, but HK is more musical and smooth for the same or less money.