need opinions new reciever or older pre-pro

royale

I am in desperate need for an upgrade for my a/v setup. I currently own an Onkyo tx-sv424. The pro-logic is useless so I just do stereo. Now I have been looking at the H/K avr-635 but that will run me around 600 shipped, and I am planing on running seperate amps to my very inefficient 4 ohm speakers any how.Now what I dont like about the Onkyo is the very bright sound, The amp has good power though.So after being bidding on the avr-635 on ebay for a week and comming up empty handed 6 times, I am looking into preamplifier processors since I am planning on getting amps any way.Now what is important to me: I would like at least 5.1 sound, I dont care if it doesnt have 7.1. On screen display would be cool. Also crossover options would be cool to have too. I see a lot of processors that are going for around 4-500$ that are a few years old that cost 2-3000$ new. What are the major things that I would be missing out on by buying an older processor over a new reciever? Is sound quality superior to the reciever? What I dont like about what Ive read on processors is that they have bugs.Kind of like a computer.I dont want to buy something that I will have problems with,It will need to last 7-10years.I will be doing stereo mode for probably a year or so till I can get some surround speakers and another amp.I am not looking for the latest and greatest but I would like something that operates trouble free and sounds amazing over my current Onkyo. A few of the older models I looked at were B&K, Outlaw, Proton, Rotel, Denon, Marantz, Ant Proceed avp.All priced from 50-400$. What do you think, I have no experience with processors or power amplifiers except car audio. Help me out here what would be the best approach. And remember I dont necessarily need the latest and greatest but sound quality is important. Thanks much. Mike
E-mail royxc800@aol.com