With regards to the apps , I find them quite usefull at times. Kids get the movie too loud I can turn it down from my bedroom. Handy for switching inputs on the receiver, and controlling the volume from the computer is handy when someone comes into my room to talk. Aptx is the newest BT codec and it boasts cd quality playback, a2dp is highly compressed and the results on a good system are far from stellar. I know Audyssey is all the rage but it can only accomplish so much and I would not base my decision solely on RC software. I wouldn't buy an Onkyo if it was the last receiver on the planet.
