Pioneer VSX-27TX Receiver

Before you buy a 7.1 receiver, you'll be paying just over $1000. The Pioneer VSX-27 beats them all, and can be had on eBay for ~ $1050 plus shipping, new in the box. The only serious contender is the Denon, but Pioneer in this price range of item is far superior. Both Pioneer 7.1's and the Denon comparable will need a separate two channel amplifier for the rear surrounds, so that is a wash. However, if you want to have theater-like sound in your home, you HAVE TO HAVE the 7.1 capability, as this supports two side channel speakers with a separate stereo signal. Thus, you have the left front, the center, the right surround, the right rear, the left rear, the left surround, and the left front, plus, of course, your subwoofer. The presence of the stereo surrounds, both left and right, make as much difference in the soundstage compared to 5.1 surround as stereo does to mono. There is no way to approach the reality with a 5.1 system!!!