The main features I want are some of the networking capabilities (but that isn't a huge issue) and another slot for a 2nd subwoofer. My question is to obtain both of these things am I going to be able to stay within the $500ish (before the $225 for the Onkyo stuff I have) price range. My thinking is no. The main thing I am looking for is a receiver that produces nice sound that also has another slot for a 2nd subwoofer.
Your existing receiver isn't bad and is roughly equivalent to their older TX-SR606/607 series of stand alone receivers. That's the advantage Onkyo HTIBs have over most other brands - they include decent receivers in their HTIB packages. There are two ways to accomplish what you're trying to do. The first is to spend $500 or so on a new receiver and the second is to build on what you already own. The subwoofer is easy, just buy a
subwoofer Y-cable/splitter for $1.50. Having the splitter inside the receiver vs outside the receiver buys you nothing at the $500 price point because the subwoofer jacks are not independently controlled. For now that seems to be a feature that's reserved for high-end models.
Networking features are often better done outside the receiver. There are any number of add on devices like the
Western Digital TV Live that do more for less than $100. There are lots of options depending on what features you are looking for and in my case I use the combination of a
Roku 2 XS and a
Netgear NeoTV550 for internet/network media. If you just need more HDMI connections that's easily solved with an
HDMI switch.
What does make upgrading worthwhile is if you want a newer flavor of room correction in the receiver or you need 3D support. At the $500 price point the two that I'm familier with are the
Denon AVR-1912 (brand new only) or a refurbished
Onkyo TX-NR709.
