Hey anamorphic96,
I just finished my search.
I now officially apologise to you from my mistaken identity about you.
Here's the other guy I confused you with:
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http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=590925&postcount=1
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http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=595513&postcount=4
--> He did end up buying the Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH for the main room, and the Denon AVR-789 for the bedroom.
~ I guess it was his avatar, that got me confused. I hope that you do understand now.
As to your own personal wondering on which receiver could be best, for your own personal situation, would be the Onkyo TX-SR705, if you can find it.
It sells usually for about $400, and has Audyssey MultEQ, and also THX Select2. But even better, the TX-SR805, if you can find it again, and which can be had from about $400 to $600, and has Audyssey MultEQ XT and is THX Ultra2 certified.
I will check for these personally for you, if you are interested.
On the Denon side, the AVR-988 is the exact equivalent of the AVR-2808CI, and not the 2809. Still, it is an excellent receiver with Audyssey MultEQ XT, just like you said, and it has two (2) HDMI inputs (version 1.3). The video processor ain't great, but it's mostly a useless feature nowadays anyway.
It was originally retailing for $1,199
If I was you, I'll save a good bunch, and go with the Marantz SR6001.
Or search for the Onkyo TX-SR805, or even the SR-705.
But that's just me then.
Cheers,
Bob