Thanks to everyone who helped me troubleshoot on my receiver - I just talked to the electrician who had a look at it (he didn't charge me the $50 for the estimate at least...) and he said, and I quote "There is a lot of damage, I think you should come and take it back". I didn't delve too deep into it, mainly because I couldn't understand what he was saying because he had a thick accent - but i'll find out more when I go to pick it up 
Anyway, now I'm looking for a replacement - and I don't want my pants pulled down over the price. What is comparable at a decent price? I went to a couple of shops and one told me that I would need to be spending about 800-900 dollars (canadian) to get a comparable model - because that one is an ES - I'm 90% sure he is full of it - in terms of the price point, though (he was telling me something about the wattage on ES models being different because they are the RMS or Peak numbers or something - so a 100 watt regular receiver is actually a lot lower than a 100 watt ES receiver - is this true?)
EDIT: I tried to post a link to the specs of the STR-V444ES but it wouldn't let me - so you could just google it - pretty straight forward...
FYI: as of now, my only use for the receiver is audio - I don't use it for any radios/video outs (although at least 2 components would be nice...but i'm sure that isn't a problem) - HDMI is not a biiiiig deal but if I can get it then thats cool to future proof myself.
So what should I be looking at, and where should I be looking?!?
thanks guys,
Roy
EDIT: I've looked at a few used models - and someone is selling the Denon AVR-686S for $300 - is this a good receiver for the price?
Anyway, now I'm looking for a replacement - and I don't want my pants pulled down over the price. What is comparable at a decent price? I went to a couple of shops and one told me that I would need to be spending about 800-900 dollars (canadian) to get a comparable model - because that one is an ES - I'm 90% sure he is full of it - in terms of the price point, though (he was telling me something about the wattage on ES models being different because they are the RMS or Peak numbers or something - so a 100 watt regular receiver is actually a lot lower than a 100 watt ES receiver - is this true?)
EDIT: I tried to post a link to the specs of the STR-V444ES but it wouldn't let me - so you could just google it - pretty straight forward...
FYI: as of now, my only use for the receiver is audio - I don't use it for any radios/video outs (although at least 2 components would be nice...but i'm sure that isn't a problem) - HDMI is not a biiiiig deal but if I can get it then thats cool to future proof myself.
So what should I be looking at, and where should I be looking?!?
thanks guys,
Roy
EDIT: I've looked at a few used models - and someone is selling the Denon AVR-686S for $300 - is this a good receiver for the price?
