Thought of something else with the BiL...
Possible he set his AVR up using the IAD(Intelligent Amp Design) and forgot he did.
IAD allows you to connect 9 speakers. On the Onkyo he has the "4" would be....
His rear surround(or 6/7) and his Zone 2.
When using Zone 2, it "kills" the 6/7.
If he...
If I was doing this on $2000(any less is truly futile)...
Onkyo 626/727 from A4L. Whatever todays going price is.
Polk TSi/Monitor from Polk Ebay/NewEgg/Tiger Direct. Whoever has the best price the day you commit to buy.
Polk RTi from Polk Ebay. Crapshoot if those can be had and maintain a...