Denon or Pioneer for HT

Both are excellent receivers, but each sounds different. Go listen and see which YOU like best.

Depending on your speaker and room needs, Denon for more neutral to analytical sounding speakers, and Pioneer for more rounded off, laid-back sounding speakers. So it depends.
Also, the Denon has the superior Audyssey MultEQ DSP circuit, which raises the sonic experiece to another level over other competing systems, all things equal. And, since most every single acoustically small domestic room needs EQ'ing of some sort, that is a deal maker for me! I'd go Denon. Good luck

The SC09 uses the Dual SHARC EX + Freescale DSP Engines which are outstanding. I listened to the SC09 playing through the Theil 3.7's and it sounded great - had a less analytical and more musical / analog sound compared to other SS electronics I have heard.

Go with Marantz or Rotel !! You can't go wrong.

Both have room correction. As I understand it, the Audyssey uses a parametric style EQ and the Pioneer has their own in house developed parametric/graphic EQ. I just upgraded my Integra 5.3 to the Elite SC-07 and the difference is very nice. I think you'll be happy with either one.

November issue of Home Theater magazine has a full review of the Pioneer SC-09 and recommends it highly. If my budget could stand it, that's the one I'd choose but have ordered the less expensive Pioneer SC-07 instead.