Upgrading an Onkyo TX SR-500

[stone18]

I’m in the market to upgrade my receiver and was interested in what improvements (if any) I can expect. I listen to music (all types, but mostly rock and jazz) 75% of the time and movies the other 25%. My room is kind of an L shape, 12x24, but everything is set up in a squarish area of the L.

My Current Setup (an odd mix):
TV: Sony, WEGA 42inch LCD (direct HDMI hookup from Comcast HD box)
Receiver: Onkyo SR-500 (65 watts 5.1)
Fronts: Axiom M3’s on stands
Center: Axiom VP100
Sub: Yamaha YST-SW105
Surrounds: Bose 161s (yeah... I know)

To upgrade the Onkyo, I’m leaning toward Yamaha and was considering the RX-N600 but can’t find a review of it anywhere. My budget is between $400-$700. In that price range what else would you recommend? What should I expect to gain, if anything?

 

[Ern Dog]

I recently had the Onkyo 502 and decided to upgrade because I wanted the ability to get an amp and the 502 doesn't have pre-outs for an amp. I ended up getting an HK635. WOW! what an improvement. HK has a warmer sound and more refined. Definetly check them out. What ever you get, make sure it has pre-outs, so that if you ever want an amp, you'll be ready.

 

[stone18]

Thanks, I'll keep that advice in mind...So many choices, so many things to consider.

 

[Ern Dog]

Why do you want to upgrade your avr? More wpc? more features?

 

[stone18]

I would like some of the new features available now (built-in XM, I'm already a subscriber), more inputs, more WPC (really don't know if my current speakers would benefit from it, though), dual zone/source would be nice as well...I don't really need 7.1, simply don't have the room for more speakers.