Upgrading my receiver (1 Viewer)

I am interested in upgrading the receiver for my home theater setup. In December 2011, I purchased: TV: Samsung PN59D7000FF (59" class plasma) Blu-Ray: Samsung BD-D5500 (3D capable) Since then I've added Apple TV. I use this mostly for Netflix and doing AirPlay from my iPad. I've also had my Direct TV HD-DVR (HR23-700) for about 4 years. Other devices that will get attached--Xbox 360 and Wii. I have a TrendNet media bridge to connect those devices which do not have built-in WiFi. I have Comcast internet. My speakers are from my original setup created about 11 years ago. They are all Paradigm speakers--PSB-12 (sub), CC-370 (center), Mini-monitors front and rear. The mini-monitors are different year models, but close to the same vintage. One set is in brown cabinets, the other in black. The black ones I purchased used on Craigslist to replace a pair of Atoms. I have no real interest in expanding to 7.1--5.1 is sufficient. My current receiver is also about 11 years old. It is an Integra 5.2. It still works fine, but has no HDMI inputs and can't do the more advanced audio codecs. Here are the receivers I am considering. I'd like to keep the cost at $500 or less. The choices I've listed are based on some quick web searches and I will comment on the impressions I've gotten from reviews I've read so far. Any comments like "avoid this one because ..." or "here's a great reason to purchase this one" are very welcome. Denon AVR-1913 (some seem to like the features from the 1912 better; seems pricey for the features provided) Onkyo TX-NR616 (read a few comments about reliability issues with Onkyo; I understand Denon now owns Onkyo) Sony STR-DN1030 (I like the built-in bluetooth and wifi) Pioneer VSX-1122-K (haven't read much on this one yet) Yamaha RX-V373 (ditto) Thanks in advance! Bruce

Addendum: I see I've listed Pioneer and Yamaha models that seem much lower end than the other 3 brands. Can you suggest Pioneer and Yamaha models that would compare with the other 3? Thanks! Bruce

Denon does not own Onkyo. Denki Onkyo became Denon with mergers divestitures back in the 50s and 60s. The Yam 373 doesn't have HDMI upconversion(which you need for the Wii). You'd have to go up to the 673. I would give the onkyo 616 the edge here because it has the most features. And you'll read more reliability issues with Onkyo cause they have 40% of the market. The top 5 AVR in sales are the Onk 515, Onk 616, Pio 1022, Onk 717 and Onk 414. Yes...onkyo has 4 of the top 5 sellers. Nobody(I know) likes the N1030.

Sam, I was given the wrong info about Denon and Onkyo. Are they now one company, though? Just wondering. If I bumped up my budget a bit, how much better or what important extra features would I get if I got the Onkyo TX-NR717 rather than the 616. I am definitely leaning more in the Onkyo direction now. Thanks! Bruce

The main advantage of the 717 is the pre-outs. Otherwise it pulls more juice off the wall making "the need of external amps" less likely. There are other features as well, but those two(in my opinion) are enough to justify the cost.

Thanks again, Sam! Now you've definitely got me leaning very strongly toward the Onkyo TX-NR717. Bruce

The 717 also has a powered Zone 3, a Phono Input and an IR Input. As I've said so many times before , the only issue with it is you get Audyssey 2EQ instead of MultEQ XT. But in Onkyo's defense, with the next model up, the 818, you get XT32. But it's quite a bit more $$. Ac4l.com has the 717 as a factory refurb. With the Optional 5 year warranty it's $550 shipped. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR717/Onkyo-TX-NR717-7.2-Ch-THX-Certified-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

My primary use of the receiver will be home theater. Yes, I listen to music, but between HT and music the ratio would be 90-95% HT and 5-10% music. One thing I see with Denon vs Onkyo is the Denon lists a lot more built-in decoders. I am wondering if that should weigh with me or if it is "fluff". I went to Cnet and created a comparison chart between Denon AVR-2313ci, Onkyo TX-NR818, Denon AVR-2113ci and Onkyo TX-NR717. The 818 is a whopping 40 lbs! What's in that thing? At Best Buy, the 818 is twice the price of the 717. It doesn't seem that the features warrant that huge of an increase. However, I have found a sub-$800 deal on the 818 which makes it tempting. It looks tall, though. Also, the 2313 and under $650 also becomes tempting. Budget creep--I hate it. Thanks all for your input and thoughts.

The Onkyo 818 is the beginning of the "big boy pants" Onkyo. If you want to see something "wow", go check out how much juice the NR5010 is capable of pulling off the wall.