I've avoided posting because I've not been able to figure out how to do so without sounding a little negative... but it seems maybe it's unavoidable.
Good sentence. Very specific.
DVD players don't connect to speakers typically. This means either we need more information (Perhaps you have 6 self-powered speakers you attached with RCA cables, or perhaps what you had *included* a DVD player but was not one). If the speakers and "DVD player" came as a package, the make and model would be very useful.
It seems likely your basic terminology is wrong here; but it's difficult for us to tell you exactly how with so little information.
As pointed out, you need a 5.1 receiver. "stereo" is "two-channel" (2.0).
A "home theater" is, generally speaking, any setup where someone has put a video source and audio source together for playing movies. In the present world, that generally means at least 5-channel surround: but it's not strictly required.
So your sentence here is just nonsensical, a home theater is exactly what you are trying to make.
I believe you are saying that you don't need what is referred to as "Home-Theater in a Box" (HTiB), which is (typically speaking) a single unit which acts as both DVD or blueray player, receiver, and amp comes with an assortment of small speakers.
What's really odd is that it sounds like you had a HTiB before, but you called it a "DVD player", and now are referring to the same thing simply as "home theater".
Impossible without knowing your needs.
This further tells me that your "dvd player" was actually a HTiB. unfortunately, it still gives me no idea what your speakers are, nor am I confident that you are telling me that 6 sets of wires went into your HTiB and straight out to each of the 6 speakers... which is what the previous respondent was trying to find out.
Networking Receivers are relatively new and will be a challenge on your budget.
I doubt you "have to", but I suspect you should.
Simply put (and there are exceptions) HTiB use low quality, low wattage speakers that will be easily destroyed as you start pumping real power into them. I would need to know the make and model though (there are some mid-end HTiB systems out there).
Here's what you need to do.
1) Find out the wattage of the speakers you have. Best way is to look up the make-model. If it's not written on the back of the speaker, then you likely got them with your old HTiB, and that would let you know.
2) Determine what, if anything, you would be likely to replace these with in the reasonably near future.
3) Take the higher of those two wattages and go look at receivers. Brands you should look at include Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, and Yamaha. Make sure the wattage is "at least enough" and then focus on features. Pay close attention to number of HDMI inputs/outputs and HDMI version (you want 1.3a) (if you are using HDMI interconnects).
You are unlikely to find the networking features you want in a used model, so you are hunting new.
4) You might actually find it cheaper/better to go pick up a $150 used HDMI-switching receiver (I see them at pawn shops and on EBay), and then add a used X-Box 360, or Sony PS3 (not slim); both of which can be used as a media client (most versions of the non-slim PS3 are wireless, check wikipedia for a breakdown). Some good dedicated Network components include the Sonos systems (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonos)
