Harman Kardon AVR vs. Yamaha RX-V2400 ??

As the matter of fact, I agree with Exertfluffer. I have my Yamaha RX-V1400 (also THX certified) driven by a Marantz 5-channel amplifer at 170watt each channel. Just couldn't afford a better amp. Regardless, they sound very good to my ears. On the other hand, separate Outlaw have received nothing but rave reviews. Used separated units are pretty hard to beat. They offer great values for the money. Since you have found Audiogon website, be patient and shop for preowned units. However, since you wrote that you could afford only a single combined unit, I'm not sure if space or money would be the factor. Good luck.

I have the 1400's predecessor, the 1300. According to Yamaha's web site (below), the 1300 has a 192/24 DAC, so don't sell it so short. I also picked up an out of box Yamaha 3200 the same day (I have 2 different systems) I got the 1300 (each for $500) and they sound very, very nice. But I've never heard an Outlaw, so I can't compare.

192kHz/24-BIT DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER SYSTEM
The RX-V1300's vitally important digital-to-analog converters use an extremely high performance 192kHz/24-bit operation type. They perform accurate sound field reproduction for high quality multichannel sources, and for two-channel stereo, provide outstanding separation and precise musical delineation.

Check out the H/K dpr 2005 120 X 7 digital amped reciever for around 1300.00 street imo.

All digital sources stay digital to the binding posts.

Some specs and features of the H/K dpr 2005
120 x 7 @8
200 x 7@4
0.05% thd 20-20 whith all channels driven
105 s/n
Selectable output filtering for different speaker impeadances 8/6/4ohm
dpl2x
dts 6.1 es
logic 7
zone 2 output
sa-cd/dvd-a bass manager
quadruple x over
input titling
a/v sync delay
iec socket
backlight learning remote.

I would go with the HK simply because they are generally a high current design and let's face it, it's the amp section that is the weak link in any receiver. Don't take what Exertfluffer says with a grain of salt. He might be up on separates but when it comes to receivers, he's asleep at the wheel. He still thinks that ALL receivers are the pitiful little weaklings that they always were. A lot has happened since he's been asleep. Seriously, though, a good receiver will give separates a run for their money and in many cases surpass them.