Em, you're right to not be overly concerned with power(even if you didn't live in an apartment)since all the receivers mentioned have more than enough for any likely need. My thought is also that there hasn't been so much of a quality control problem with HK that it should be removed from consideration. Of the others that you list, the 56TXi would have the fullest list of features, but the Yamaha 5890 would appear to be the best buy and would be my pick(the Pioneer 1015 mentioned before is also an excellent buy).
On your THX question, I'll add that the special processing isn't of much significance and similar things can be done without it. The THX certification however is a useful assurance of quality(although some without it may also meet the THX standards). Don't worry about "worth it", because the cost of the THX laboratory certification process is only a few dollars per unit.
Last edited by JohnK; 07/31/05 04:39 AM.
