OK, after perusing the on-line manuals, I'm back to favoring the RX-V2700.
Perhaps I'm placing too much emphasis on this, but I really like the fact that the 2700 gives full control over the PEQ - 7 bands (two below 200 Hz) and you can control the frequency, the gain, and the Q factor for all channels & all speakers. The 1700 gives a more traditional GEQ, with 7 fixed bands & no Q control, while the 659 only gives a GEQ for the center channel.
This seems like it would be worth the expense. I'm sure it's easier to make the sound worse than better, but I'm a tinkerer by nature so this appeals to me.
Also, Gene's comments about the 2700 delivering 272 watts into 1 channel @ 4 ohms doesn't hurt either.

Think I'll wait for the review.