If you don't mind refurbs and are looking for a low-end digital home theater receiver, you could do a lot worse than the Onkyo TX-SR501.
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecce/shop/detail.asp?action=detail&dpno=157373#scroll
Onkyo cheats a bit on the 80 watt per channel RMS power rating (its rated at 6 ohms), but to be fair, everyone cheats like hell nowadays on power ratings. It's like the early 70's all over again with all manner of crummy "peak power" ratings advertised, and few systems whose power is rated in RMS, the old-fashioned manly-man way.
Anyway, this looks like a nice box and has true Dolby 6.1 decoding built in, including Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS-ES and DTS Neo:6 Processing.
You can get these brand new for about $200 plus shipping, Ecost just dropped their refurbs from $159 to $145. If you know anything about Onkyo then you know that they have a reputation for quality.
Here are some reviews, all excellent;
http://www.audioreview.com/A-V+Receivers/Preamplifiers+TX-SR501/PRD_171940_2718crx.aspx
As far as Ecost, I have picked up several refurbs from them, including a really sweet little Kenwoodie VR-707 surround receiver for $129 for a friend. That was a great price but I think this one is a better value.
YMMV!
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecce/shop/detail.asp?action=detail&dpno=157373#scroll
Onkyo cheats a bit on the 80 watt per channel RMS power rating (its rated at 6 ohms), but to be fair, everyone cheats like hell nowadays on power ratings. It's like the early 70's all over again with all manner of crummy "peak power" ratings advertised, and few systems whose power is rated in RMS, the old-fashioned manly-man way.
Anyway, this looks like a nice box and has true Dolby 6.1 decoding built in, including Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS-ES and DTS Neo:6 Processing.
You can get these brand new for about $200 plus shipping, Ecost just dropped their refurbs from $159 to $145. If you know anything about Onkyo then you know that they have a reputation for quality.
Here are some reviews, all excellent;
http://www.audioreview.com/A-V+Receivers/Preamplifiers+TX-SR501/PRD_171940_2718crx.aspx
As far as Ecost, I have picked up several refurbs from them, including a really sweet little Kenwoodie VR-707 surround receiver for $129 for a friend. That was a great price but I think this one is a better value.
YMMV!