By the way, I'm told the Pioneer Elite SC-05 *is* still obtainable at $700. Not sure I can post the details, but PM if you're interested.
Again, you can't go wrong with this or the refurb 805. This will run much cooler (it has the neat newfangled ICEpower amps) with maybe a touch less power output but not anything you'll notice. Both have advanced room correction including full time-domain adjustments (though I believe Audyssey MultEQ XT is a bit more sophisticated than even the Advanced MCACC on this) and excellent DACs, as well as full pre-outs if you want to add an outboard power amp. For what it's worth, lots of folks claim to like the Pioneer "house sound", particularly with the room correction on these SC models.
Both are a big, big step up from any $500-600 units.