Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Audio Craft - Clevel

Summary:
sold everything I had on my previous setup and started from scratch. I wanted a receiver with ultimate flexibility, that could double as a solid pre-amp as I move into seperates later (when $$ allows).

The build quality of this unit is superb. The front is solid steel, the volume control is solid steel, the front panel cover moves with elegance. It looks good, it sounds good, and it works good. You get plenty of features for the money.

No regrets

Strengths:
Very strong sound wise
Fully featured
The HDMI switching is based on the 1.2a spec. I have the OPPO DVD player and switch it through the receiver. With the 1.2a HDMI spec, I can easily play any format SACD over the HDMI cable.
You can configure inputs/outputs to your likings

Weaknesses:
The downside of it being so fully featured is its complexity. For basic use, no big deal, but if you really want to use the receiver to its fullest extent you'll need to spend quite a bit of time reading, re-reading, and re-reading again the very thick manual that comes with it.
Then spend time getting yourself familiar with the NASA like control center remote control and OSD menu features.
If you don't know what your doing with this receiver, it can become very fustrating, but it's your own fault for not putting the time into learning the system properly

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer Elite
Denon
Harmon Kardon