Thanks for the replies. After some more research, I am leaning toward the higher end models I mentioned.. the Yamaha Aventage RX-A2000 or the Pioneer Elite SC-35.
I see the SC-35 has a Class D amp.. while I think the Yamaha has a class AB. Is it worth the extra $100 for a Class D amp? I am looking for a model with will have the best sound and video processing quality. Does anyone have any opionions on the audio/video quality between these two makes??
I will be keeping my exisiting speakers which are Monitor Audio Silver RX.
For the video processing, you will need to look for professional reviews. Even if one has a better processing chip than the other, that does not mean that it will have been properly implemented, so it is possible that the other receiver will actually have better video processing capabilities.
However, you need to consider your actual sources, and pay attention to whether or not they will output an unprocessed video signal, as many sources do not do this. I have a couple of sources with which one selects what the output will be, and the unit processes everything to be that output, so using a separate video processor would be extremely inconvenient with such sources, as one would have to manually select the actual format for output. (That is, I have, for example, a DVR that records whatever is broadcast, but will output everything at 720p or 1080i or whatever one has set it to output. There is no option to have it just output whatever the format of the recording is.) So with such sources, unless one manually selects the output for each particular show played, a separate video processor is irrelevant and a waste of money. If your sources are like that, and if you are not going to manually select a different output for each program (almost no one is going to do that, and judge this realistically for yourself), don't waste your money on a receiver with expensive video processing. Only get it if you need it and will actually use it.