Yamaha RX V661

Pros: Good manual, lots of inputs, plenty of power, easy remote

Cons: Amps can't drive both 7.1 and Zone 2 at the same time.

The Bottom Line: You'll want a receiver to run HDMI video and surround sound. This is a great unit for most of us.

Review: The Yamaha RX-V661 is a good starting point to enter the world of 7.1 surround sound. It has the features you would need to not only have the best in surround sound (7.1), but also to drive speakers playing a different source in a second zone--although ...

Pros: Good value and features for price.

Cons: Remote is tricky. Input options aren't always great.

The Bottom Line: If you aren't OCD about home theater, this is good for you.

Review: I got a quick reply from Yamaha on the issue below - there is an option for re-assigning digital inputs and outputs. Worked like a charm. This system was easy to set up right out of the box. The optimizer microphone made good adjustments and the 4 ...