Amazing what you get for £300 now when it comes to AVR. A few years ago the specs on Onkyo TX NR626 would have cost like £1500.
That's partly true but if you look closely they have removed some things too, mostly audio side related, but add more features.
For example.
Pioneer VSX 2021 (2011) has the same spec as their LX range, in this case the LX55, everything internal is the same, the only difference is the front façade for the VSX is plastic, the LX is brushed aluminium. Both are THX certified.
Next year's model, they upgraded the power, added more HDMI out port but the VSX 2022 now lacks THX certification, it also lost a couple of component input/output.
Onyko 818 (2012)
It has Audyessey Multi EQ 32, but in the 828, they gimped it and drop it to the level down for Audyessey, and reserve the Multi EQ 32 to the 929 model. They did add wifi to the 828 to make up for it.
So higher end models will ultimately give you better sound but the spec on paper, these days you get a whole lot of amp for your money.