Ken, audio equipment is such a fluxable(my new word)target that flux will continue there for all eternity. I wouldn't be concerned about the HDMI specs, since the current status(or not bothering with HDMI at all)will continue to be of use. The feature change that was primarily responsible for me adding another receiver some time ago was Audyssey MultEQ, so I'd say that you should consider(getting Jen)a Denon or Onkyo unit for that and the other feature additions which have taken place over the last few years.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.