Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi

Spending over $1000 on an AV receiver was not what I wanted to do when I first started putting together my upgraded home theatre, but I am ecstatic with my choice and would recommend this product without reservation. This receiver, along with new Aperion speakers, Direct TV Hi-Def DVR, 56" Samsung 1080p DLP, an upscaling DVD player, and my trusty old (gen3) iPod, meets my every A/V need. I have an open HDMI port ready for HiDef DVD and, although I am not a gamer, there is yet a 4th HDMI port just waiting to be used. All of this flows seamlessly through the VSX 84 TXSi. The sound is amazing, the picture quality virtually perfect, and the ease of operation astounding. The iPod interface is a real treat--you can control your iPod via the remote and the iPod screen shows on your TV (no flywheel though so scrolling through songs can take awhile). I think the multi-zone capabilities are optimal. I have two speakers set up in a covered patio off the home theatre room, and with a few presses on the remote, I can have these speakers act as Bs to play the sound from the main room, or I can set it as a separate zone (no separate amp required) to play my iPod (or radio or DVD or whatever) on the patio while the wife watches DirectTV in surround sound in the main room. Such flexibility! It even comes with a second remote to control the second zone (IR, though, so you better be able to point it at the receiver).
I found one fixable glitch but I'll put it in here in case somebody runs into the same problem. After I set up my speaker system through the MAACC, I no longer could hear any sound through my Aperion 10" subwoofer. Bummer, right? Even when I switched off the MAACC settings, still no subwoofer sound. The subwoofer was new and I knew that was not the problem, so I went into the speaker settings (from the on-screen menu) and changed the subwoofer setting from "ON" to "HIGH". That solved the problem instantly, and of course I can still control the subwoofer level from the knob on the subwoofer itself. Again, I don't know if this was just a peculiar problem with my setup, but it was an easy-enough fix once I figured out the problem.
In short, a great product with all the power and connectivity you could ever need.

Pioneer's Flagship A/V receiver. Can handle ANYTHING you want to throw at it. Advanced Automatic calibration, 140 watts per channel, multiple HDMI, IEEE, Digital & Optical inputs, Component, S-Video, and Composite. Video and audio upconversion. even has a built-in pre-amp for the surviving phono purist (a feature quickly evaporating from most products). Can be configured in every imaginable way. Phase control, multiple custom sound fields & generas, multi-room capability, and two remotes for ultimate control.