Which surround receiver to buy?

[Ext User(Clubsprint)]

G'day all
I'm looking at buying a surround reciever and I'm after for a little advice
as this is my first
surround reciever purchase and I frankly don't trust the shop sales guys to
know much.. The two
models I'm tossing up between is the Pioneer VSX-516 and VSX-816.
The 816 is substantially more expensive but I might be able to stretch it if
it's worthwhile.
I know that they're 6.1 and 7.1 but I'm only runnning stereo and will be for
a while. The 816 had component
in/outs (RGB) that the 516 lacked and also a whole bunch of svideo inputs
wheras the 516 only has a few.
I thought the idea was that the receiver became the central point of the
system but the 516 seemed to lack
the features to do this adequately.
Money and time are tight in our household but I will spend more to make sure
that I'm happy. If anyone has uggestions on another model from another
manufacturer if someone thinks it has better value/features.
looking forward to some responses.
Thanks
Mark

[SA000584]

For $649, the Pioneer 816 doesn't seem too bad.

This systems lacks some of the latest smarts like HDMI video connections, upconversion to Component/Hdmi video.

However it does have USB connection on the front, which would be handy for inserting a flashdrive to play music from instead of CD etc.

http://www.uslcabramatta.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=64

Other options would be Marantz SR4600 which is a steal at $492, which has some functions as the Pioneer but no USB.

http://www.uslcabramatta.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=133

Or the Marantz SR5600 for $817, which includes video up conversion to component and multiroom/multi source.

Marantz have a new model (4001) out for about $1100 which includes HDMI video connections but if you not getting a new plasma/LCD anytime soon, then it would be no use to you anyway.