Looking for some opinions on this. I plan to upgrade within the next year - no big rush. I was recently disappointed in the reviews for my target purchase: Sony STR-DN2010. So now you know that I am not looking at "high end" - I want good value/price, and historically I have used Sony technology.

That's why I have lost track of other brands and features. I sure would appreciate some recommendations for the low-end of high-quality for the price gear.

Thanks in advance. By the way, I currently have Sony STR-DE698, whose main failing is the lack of HDMI support.

Priority features that I don't have now:
- HDMI in/out, with upscaling / upconversion (what's the difference?)
- Dual zone or dual HD output, if possible in this price range - prefer dual HDMI out, but HDMI +component OK
- Remote control capable, RS232 or IP, with IP prefererred ("network receiver")

Edit: Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm drooling. I also need to re-read some of the posts in the other threads.

Much higher than the prize regions I'm sometimes looking, but I always thought Onkyo is not a bad choice.

But what I missed at short look-up in this prize region was the Dual HD output.

Edit: As I heard also most time good of, a possibility whould be a Denon. A bit higher in than 1000, but it's just a SRP. One which could match.

Wow, I just spent some time looking at the Denon line. Several models, well within my price point, would be a significant upgrade to what I have. And the older versions, also quite adequate for me, are super low-priced on Amazon.

Now, on to Onkyo ...  (Edit: OMG be still my heart. And the Amazon price ... I might not wait ...  )

Edit: Onkyo TX-NR1008 is well under $1000 on Amazon. 2 HDMI outputs (LCD + Projector - yaaay!), and a dizzing array of other features - I think everything I want and more.)

Check the new Yamaha Adventage series. I have the RX-A2000 and am pleased.

Yamaha RX-A700 lists msrp $649.95, Yamaha RX-A800 lists msrp $799.95, and the Yamaha RX-A1000 lists msrp 1099.95. Newegg.com sells them with a gift card about once a month. My gift card with the RX-A2000 was $400. The other models had smaller gift cards. I also paid no tax or shipping which let me spend a little more on the unit.

Another good site for reviews and general knowledge gathering is Secrets:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/

Quoting dee1959jay:

Quote:
Upscaling/upconversion refers to converting a lower resolution signal to 1080p resolution. Some receivers can do this only on lower res signals input through HDMI (upscaling only), others can also do it on analogue signals which are then output through HDMI as well (upscaling + upconversion).
Good luck in choosing your ultimate AV monster!

You wanna know how many "explanations" I have read? Now I finally got it. Thanks.

This is the one i am thinking of getting to replace my old Yamaha

PIONEER VSXLX53

What Hi-Fi

Not sure what the equivalent American model would be?



or should i go the whole hog and get the LX83