Help with budget receiver choices

[Natenstein]

Ok, here's the scoop. I'm trying to decide on a receiver for my modest HT setup. It consists of:

Samsung LN46A650 LCD
Toshiba DVD
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4240HDC highdef cable box
No Blu-ray yet, but soon
Sony VCR (yes, my wife still wants this thing)
Personally custom built LCR speakers with rear in-walls
The room is 10'x20'

In the future I may also add a DVDO Edge video scaler/switcher, running the video directly to the LCD and digital audio to the receiver.

I would like the receiver to have:
-DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD decoding
-Analog video upconversion to at least 1080i over HDMI
-Possibly a depth restriction, but still waiting to be decided
-Two subwoofer Pre-outs, but not a deal breaker.
- <$500

So far, I'm considering:
HK AVR254
Denon AVR789
Denon AVR1909
Yamaha RX-V663
Pioneer VSX-1018AH
Onkyo TX-SR606

Do any of these really stand out? Is there another receiver I haven't looked at yet?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Shock]

I'm a huge Pioneer fan so personally i'd go with the VSX-1018AH. It's that sexy blue light....it does it for me everytime.

Pioneer usually have well laid out back panels, and they make good use of real estate on their remotes.

 

[audion3wb]

Im not sure which on that list have pre-outs but you might want to consider making that a preference if you ever want to hook up an external amp.

I think HKs are the least expensive AVR that I have seen to have pre-outs and since they actually post their true power ratings (unlike every other AVR manufacturer) that gives me a lot of respect for them.

 

[rnatalli]

From you list, the HK254 or Denon 789/1909 would be my picks. You should also look at the Marantz SR5003. 6th Avenue has a coupon for 25% off floating around which would put the 5003 pretty close to $500.

 

[Timmy245]

+ Denon AVR-789/1909