Noob here, just beginning my research for an after Christmas purchase of some AVR. At this point, I like the Pioneer 1120K and the equivalent Onkyo models. In regards to the current generation of AVRs with built in network capability: how much can the firmware upgrades modify the features of the reviever? I know that the capability to upgrade firmware allows for “bug fixes” but is the architecture wide open enough to allow for bigger, high level changes such as adding new streaming radio stations and other new technologies into the future. As examples, I notice the Onkyo models have Pandora radio built in, but Pioneer doesn’t. Another potential “fix” is Pioneer’s On-screen-display’s lack of a volume interface (at least from what I’ve read). Would it be possible for Pioneer to do the “upgrade” to Pandora in the future? Could a master volume interface be added to the OSD? Or is this network firmware upgrade capability inherently limited to lower level functions? What might the future hold for future AVR network capability?
