What can I get for under a grand, with my priorities being:

1. Audio and Video quality
2. Power output
3. 3+ HDMI ins
4. XM ready
5. Multi-room support

System:
Mitsu HD100U projector to 102" Carada screen
Sony PS3
Apple TV
Comcast HD DVR
Paradigm Monitor 9 fronts, Monitor 7 rears, CC-350 center, HSU Research VTF-2 sub
Currently Denon DVD/CD/AVR

Pic:
<img src="http://web.mac.com/raudi77/iWeb/Site/Semi-Furnished%20Loft%20Pics_files/IMG_2231.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.6ave.com/shop/Product.aspx?sku=ONKTXSR805B">This is what I'm eyeing right now. Price is $653 shipped with a coupon code. Reviews look very good, but are there other options at the price point that might be better?</a></li

The AVR4800 is a really nice product (back then Denon weren't cutting the corners like they do today). For under a grand you aren't going to get anything that performs like a 4800. Nothing under a grand is going to have that sort of quality. You'll a lot more features, but the AVR4800 has some quality electronics inside that allow your speakers to sound as good as they do.

I would let the Mits HD1000u projector do the video processing and buy another BluRay player (the PS3 is a fine machine but it has no 6 channel output) and use the six channel output to get TrueHD and DTS-HD/uncompressed soundtracks. The two products will cost you much less than a grand and will not compromise on the overall performance in the same way buying a new receiver under a grand would.

If this direction doesn't appeal to you, try a Pioneer Elite or Integra offering in your price range. Products by Marantz and Onkyo are also worth looking at. But I wouldn't expect the same speaker-driving abilities of the 4800 in this price range.

lots of bells of whistles and nothing can touch it in that price range. Yeah Onkyo's own Integra line and Marantz like Rubberduckie said would be better but not exactly under $1k if you want all the other conveniences of a full-featured AVR (versus a pre-pro) once all is said and done with. Plus Integras are not as easy to come by.

I have a 905 and a 705 and very happy with how they sound and their ability to produce immersive multi-channel soundtracks from dvds and blurays. The sonics are similar but the 805 should be more in line with the 905 which sounds great. I too had an older Denon (3802) and I'm very satisfied with my move to Onkyo products. Like the 905, the 805 also has Burr Brown DACs which is a step up from the 705.

Their DACs will be decent, but they are built to a price, and under a grand, the only way receivers are improved with each generation is with features and a little tweaking to acheive more power (no guarantee of improved performance). Solid state technology has hardly changed in the last 30 years. To get better performance, higher quality (more expensive) components are still required. Class D amplification is toyed with by a lot of upper-market brands (as well as Sony....just kidding folks) these days, but to get the performance you are used to can't be found under a grand.

inteferance isolation, discrete circuitry. All those things make a difference.

<center><img src="http://www.accessories4less.com/mas_assets/mid/MARSR8001A.jpg"></center><p><ul><li><a href="http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR8001A">Link</a></li></ul>

email me if you can't figure out how to contact them for pricing but if you look on the Marantz forum there you will see how to get in touch with them. Everyone has said their prices are very low and shipping was only a couple of days.

I think I will get the 8002

<center><img src="http://us.marantz.com/sr8002.gif"></center><p>Or if you want an ethernet port as well, then an Integra DTR-8.8. WIth this you get a USB port also and stable down to 2 Ohms.<ul><li><a href="http://us.marantz.com/Products/2204.asp">clink</a></li></ul>

Well worth considering - just make sure you hook up a BluRay/HD-DVD machine with the multi-channel input for TrueHD/DTS-HD/uncompressed because the SR8001 is only HDMI 1.2.

<center><img src="http://www.rotel.com/images/managed/productimages/fullsize/home%20theater%20components/rsp1098front_placed.jpg"></center><p>coupled with their multichannel power amplifiers<ul><li><a href="http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=20">RSP-1098</a></li></ul>

Just make sure your player has a 6ch. out first of course.
using quality cables is a good idea too if you have nice speakers. Blue Jeans or Monoprice isn't what I'd suggest.
If you don't already have them, try cables from Chord Company or Klotz (which you can mail order from The Cornflake Shop in London). Klotz are easily the most detailed cables I've yet heard. Chord Co. are a very accurate and full-sounding cable.

You'll have to email them about the Klotz cable as they make it up themselves, or they will send you the cable and the plugs if you are handy with a soldering iron.<ul><li><a href="http://www.cornflake.co.uk/pricelists/shop.pdf">Cornflake Shop Price List</a></li></ul>

There could well be players with 6 ch. outputs which don't have the internal HD-Audio decoders.

It's the only lossless track available on their discs. You get regular DTS from it if you don't have gear that can decode it.

PS3 means no 6ch. out which means you can't benefit from TrueHD/DTS-HD/uncompressed audio.
So pick up a nice receiver in your price range (something with HDMI 1.3 like an Elite VSX91TXH or an Integra 6.8). They both have useful processors decent audio stages (if not quite up there with an AVR4800) and more than capable of driving rear speakers effectively. And continue use of your POA-8300 for the fronts.

I bought a Marantz 8200 from them refurb'd for about a grand years ago. Not a blemish on it - perfectly boxed for shipping etc. It's been flawless. If I ever upgrade, I'll go back to them.

The Marantz itself has also been perfect - I think it is 120Wx6, but it was more than enough. Specs are better now as far as switching and whatnot. I also have one of the Marantz low end DVDs, which has also been flawless, but there isn't really anything special about it.

Carry on using the POA8300 in the main room and use the receiver's amplificaqtion to drive the second zone rather than using it's pre-out.

the Marantz will do what you need it to with zone as will many other receivers. If your receiver is only powering the rears in the main room, it won't choke when driving the second zone at the same time.

If you want to upgrade to a receiver with HDMI 1.3 and HD-audio decoding (good idea seeing as you have an external power amp) try an Integra 6.8 (or 7.8 if you can stretch it - much better transformer, superb discrete circuitry and excellent pre/power isolation + extra features).