I have a failing Sony 777ES that needs to be replaced, and since it has served me so faithfully, I have not done a great job keeping up with what else is out there. I spent the last 2 days scouring the internet reading reviews, etc. and now maybe more torn than ever. I primarily need something that works reliably for the family to use, but also do not want to go backwards in sound quality.
I am driving 5 Paradigm Reference speakers (studio 60, studio 20, and in-walls) in a 350sqft room w/ 9.5' ceilings. Mostly movies, but some music and games as well. I have (3) HDMI inputs from PS3, AppleTV, and Dishetwork and drive (2) 720p outputs (front projector and plasma, but I do have an external HDMI splitter so do not need dual monitor hdmi outputs). I typically drove my 777ES at 1/3 to just over 1/2 power depending on movie and who was in the room.
Needs:
Drive my speakers cleanly for movies at fairly loud levels (almost 1/2 power level of sony)
Handle modern audio formats
Ability to handle HDMI switching cleanly and elegantly
Deliver good quality video to 720p devices
Wants:
Automatic setup (Audyssey sounds very interesting)
PLIIz or similar to drive Height channels in the front
On screen GUI interface
Network
Considering:
Onkyo 607, HC160, 707, HC180, NR807
HK AVR 354
Denon 890/2310
Marintz SR5003
I know I am all over the place price-wise. I need to be somewhat careful with budget and I want to get something immediately because my family is frustrated that nothing works, but I also do not want to cut too-many corners and be unhappy with quality of sound. Basically I do not want to have just bells & whistles, and then feel like I went way back on sound. Maybe all of these uits would sound fine compared to my ~10 year old receiver - I just do not know.
I was initially very excited about the great refurb deals on the HK AVR354, but got really scared reading the problems. My gut says the Onkyo NR807 would be great for sound quality on the Onkyo side, but I would really to stay well below that price tag (around the $500) if I can. Actually some of the ~$300 deals on the lower end items above sound real tempting to me...
any thoughts?
Thanks,
Chip
