HELP me choose an AV reciever or processor please

My budget is around $1k-2k for a reciever or processor.

The Phoenix gold amp is 60wx12 or 120wx6. This amp I believe is underrated my sony reciever is 110x5 and the phoenix gold amp blows it away. I don't need all the channels at most I would use 7, it has more then enough power for my needs.

I have been reading fairly good reviews on the Sony 5400es. I have never really been a fan of Onkyo. Marantz and Denon are basically the same thing aren't they? Sadly most of the shops in my area have gone bankrupt so I wouldn't really have the option to purchase and A/B the setup, I wish!!

So can some of you suggest some processors in the $1k-2k price range that I can look at. Also what do you not like about the Sony 5400es.
Thanks!

Once again - look at the Integra. It is my opinion that there are very few companies who are capable of building this type of unit. I would not summarily dismiss the industry leaders because you will find that you have no alternatives left.

As far as the Sony - do your homework. First and foremost it does not have Audyssey. Any investment in a new HT receiver or pre/pro without Audyssey is a clean miss. This probably reflects Sony's long established fondness for closed standards and formats.

I find it disturbing that Sony does not specify the type of HDMI they support. Because of their support for deep color I believe it is 1.3 but I would want to be certain.

I do not have an opinion about the quality of the Faroudja processors - Faroudja is a long time standard but lately the buzz has been about Reon and Anchor Bay. If the processor is important to you, some homework is in order.

Finally being curious I went to the Sony site and downloaded the Owners Manual. It is filled with descriptions of how to use the unit with their proprietary Bravia-ware. I hope there is more to the manual because it is woefully inadequate. Per my previous post I would not buy anything without understanding the GUI firtst.

But hey, horses for courses. If your heart is set on a Sony have at it...

My Heart's not set on Sony that's why I am hear asking questions. I'd like to get to know what new technology is out there by people like you. Thanks for your comments. I'd also like to hear why people don't like Sony. After I look at all then information then I will make a decision.

I've always had a love hate relationship with Sony myself. They are notorious for comming out with there own standards that are even incompatible with there own equipment. But they are also usually the first to come out with the new technology.

If I can find a AV processor that fits my needs and is better then the 5400es then I have no problem buying something else. I would actually prefer it because then I could put my amp to good use. Can anyone else offer some other processor suggestions?

Thanks again.

For many years Sony was "the one and only". Their quality was the best and they led the industry in innovation. But they have gotten to be a very big company, that is very troubled and financially stressed. No one hates them (at least not me) but I don't think that the audio department is what it used to be. (OK I do hate the closed system aspect).

It occurred to me that there is one alternative that no one has mentioned you might be interested in which is a new company called emotiva audio. A lot of people are very keen on their gear which is truly inexpensive. At the moment they do not appear to have a processor but I believe that one is in the works - might be worth a call if you like what you see on their site

I went and looked at a Marantx 8003 but was disappointed that it only had 4 HDMI inputs.

I'm still looking. I know where to get a Denon AVPA1HDC1 for $4500 but that's a little more then I want to spend.