7.1 Receiver for Cable TV only

zeppage2

Friend wants/needs new receiver for existing speaker/sub setup.
So I tell him I will look for one for him.

Now I know why Bose is so successful. Bose minimizes wires and simply plays the chosen source.

I remember giving my Dad a Yamaha/Polk setup and when I visited he was just using the TV speakers. He told me he must have hit the wrong button on the remote and that was it. I packed it up and gave it to a friend at his insistence.

Seriously, many folks can't even switch from input 1 to input 2 on their TVs. Remember the notorious flashing 12:00 on VCRs?

Well, any recommendations for a straightforward 7.1 receiver? The less bells and whistles, the better. Emotiva has a contender but it is out of stock. I also looked at the Outlaw 975/1075 combo...

HDMI IS A MUST!!!

I don't want to buy him some crap unit because maybe he will dump his inferior satellites in the corners of his ceiling and get some real speakers. But, one thing at a time...
Budget probably $1000.

cnh

Any Pioneer with ICE amplification (Pioneer now refers to this as D3 amplification). Look at the SC model Elites and the highest model non-Elite (which I believe has ICE amps as well). Good sound, good processing, good power, good video features. What's not to like. And I believe there is also a "QUICK SET-UP MENU" that simplifies the most problematic items.

You can probably get the lowest model ICE amp Pioneer for $1000 or less!

Happy hunting. Check out the models at their homepage.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers

cnh