I think the thing that has sold me on Yamaha stuff, is that every time I have the opportunity to hear something sufficiently "high end" it sounds a lot more Yamaha-like than most of the other affordable gear I've heard from Marantz, Pioneer, Denon, etc. I feel like the closer you can get to your sound being definied purely by the speakers and less by the amplifier, the better off you are.
On a related note - I recently took my daughter's CR-1020 (like father - like daughter!) to a higher-end audio shop for some service. The guys at the shop really ranted and raved about what a nice piece it is and wanted to buy it. Sorry gents... No can do...
I think my CR-1020 is one piece I'd never consider replacing. Or the P-2200. Or the P-2100's, or anything else with 'Yamaha' on the face plate...