It's important in that SoCal has another thread in which to torment Yamaha fans. He's a known hater of many consumer models that others think deserve better and just comes around to stir the pot, hoping to push a few buttons along the way. SoCal rarely has anything much constructive to add, always just hating on Yamaha's consumer gear.
None of this addresses the OP's original question, and I suspect he has long since been scared off by all this drivel.
Bottom line is that while there are always exceptions to the rule, Yamaha generally put more effort, design, and expense into building most of the separates and they simply sound better. It would take some serious contenders, better Yamaha models notwithstanding, to knock off my C-2a or MX-2000. The CX-1000, C-80, M-2 and M-4 are also clear winners.
FWIW, I have four M-80's and have only ever lost partial output level on one channel on one amp. These amps have/had been pulling severe duty in my HT setup running the 250Ti's at high levels and in a confined cabinet to the point of near meltdown temps for YEARS, a job I suspect many of these amps have endured, until replaced by PC2002M's; one piece of gear we all agree is nearly bulletproof, runs cool, and sounds great.
Not everyone can find a good deal on a PC2002M or (insert your mondo amp of choice here) so you make do with the best you can. You can't go wrong with nearly any piece of Yamaha gear that's properly adjusted and functioning within spec.
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