I can understand the recommendations. You can buy the latest Yamaha RX-V750 for the street price of $450. I has all of the new whirly-gigs including 7.1, IIx, video conversion to component and a auto speaker setup, with microphone included. It is an easy way to get into separates, using a high quality power amp, while waiting for pre/pros to catch up. A pre/pro must be easily upgradeable to compete with this receiver phenom, IMO. Another side benefit is to use the receiver amp section for other zones. I would be suprised if the majority of people could tell the difference in sound between rx-amp and prepro-amp in a blind test. At $450, the receiver is throw-away when the next "fad" comes along.