Looking for a receiver around 200$

Well my old HTIB (Logitech Z-5500's) gave out the other day and now I need to find a replacement. I'd prefer to stay away from HTIB and start spending the money piecing together a worthwhile system. I was all set to buy the Onkyo TX-NR509 Fry's had advertised for $150, but after calling literally every store in the bay area and northern CA, no stores have them and most haven't had them in weeks. So that sucks. They really shouldn't be allowed to advertise a sale price on a item that they don't even have and hadn't had for weeks, but that's for another thread I guess.

I'd really like something that's as good or close to as good as the Onkyo 509 for around $200. I tried doing some quick searches but it seemed like there was nothing even remotely close to the 509 feature wise for $150-$200. I'm no expert at all which is why I'm hoping someone here could steer me in the right direction. I'm not in a huge hurry, so if there are any up coming big sale events or more closeouts on old models I could wait.

As for what I'd use it for or what I'd need it to do, I'm not really sure. Right now I run an optical cord from my cable box and game systems to the z-5500 and then for my PC I just run the included 5.1 cable with 3 plugs from the PC to the Z-5500's. I would also like something that would allow me to use my current Z-5500 speakers since they still work fine, at least until I can afford to upgrade them. From my understanding the Z-5500 subwoofer won't be able to be used, but the other speakers should connect to anything since they just connect via standard speaker wire. Something Networked would be nice, 5.1 is probably all I need, but I'd take a good deal on a 7.1 also. I have no idea what all the decoders and EQ tech does but obviously I'd like something good.

Unfortunately the budget is what it is. Is there anything at all around $150-$200 that's as good or close to as good as the Onkyo 509? Because really that's what I want, the Onkyo 509 for $150, but since Fry's has none and I can't find anywhere else that has them for that price I'd like to find something that's as close as possible.

One store did have an open box RC360 for $199, but it was missing the remote. I'm also very hesitant about buying anything open box from Fry's. I've had bad experiences. Did I make a mistake passing on it?

Honestly I don't know much about NR509, I just knew it retailed for a lot more then $150, fit my budget, seemed to have a lot of features including networking, and received pretty good reviews. I'm definitely open to other suggestions, it just seemed like when I went to research other sub $200 receivers none of them had the features that the 509 had.

I didn't even check. I was all set to buy it, picked up the box and saw "missing remote" written on it and decided against it since it would cost another $30 to replace the remote plus god knows what the previous buyer did with the receiver (the box was in rough shape). I've also never seen a salesman so disinterested in selling me something. I asked 3 or 4 times for something else similar to the NR509 and finally after the 4th time he said they had an open box RC360, walked me over to it told me if I wanted it to put it in my cart and take it up front and then left. I didn't feel like tracking him back down and bothering him for more info on the RC360 since he clearly wasn't interested. The store was almost empty too so it wasn't like they were slammed.

If it's really that much better I guess I could call around tomorrow and see if any other stores had the RC360 since when I called today I only asked about 509.

Also how would the Pioneer and Yamaha mentioned in this thread compare to the 509 and 360? It seems like those are probably the 2 best options provided I can't find a 509 or 360.

Yeah I really don't know what exactly I actually need. I wasn't really planning on upgrading right now, it was kind of always something I figured I'd get around to later when I could afford to do it right, unfortunately my old system suddenly not working has forced my hand.

The devices I use most are my PS3, Cable Box/TV, and PC. The cable box and PS3 are both HDMI, but currently I have the HDMI going into my TV and then I run an optical cord to my Logitech's. I'm not really sure what I'm using for my PC. The end of the plugs look similar to how component plugs look, there are 3 cords bundled as one. Yellow, Black, and Green. I think they are split up as Front, Rear, and Center/Sub.

All my music is on my PC, for any TV viewing I'd use the cable box, for Blu-Ray/DVD I'd use the PS3. For netflix or other streaming I'd most likely use the PS3 or possibly my PC. As for docks for iphones and ipods and such, I do not own any Apple products and don't intend on ever owning any so that doesn't matter, however I do have a nice Android phone and a non Apple MP3 player. All the music on those devices is also on my PC though.

I was pretty happy with my Z-5500's, even though I realize they are inferior to a real system, so as long as I can get something that sounds better for a reasonable price I'll be happy. I just don't want to go the HTIB route again since I'd have to spend close to the same price as one of those receivers for something inferior. I'd really like to have an all in 1 solution (receiver wise) that is reasonably priced and will last for awhile and will handle whatever devices I throw at it.

I imagine using the old speakers will be less then ideal, but as long as they work and at least sound close to as good as they do now (or at least better then my crappy TV speakers) I'll be ok. Right now I literally have no way of listening to sound from my PC other then a head set.

I will eventually get a sub and different speakers, I just need something that will hold me over. Preferably as future proof and as good as possible.

I guess I could try selling the old system, problem is the control pod isn't working. It goes into standby mode after 5 minutes or so, longer if I leave it unplugged, or switch outlets. The speakers do still work though. I can't imagine the whole system selling for much since it doesn't work and the speakers are probably worth more to me then anyone else since I doubt I could get anything decent for whatever I could sell them for.

Basically instead of wasting $100 or so on a HTIB that would get the job done, I'd like to put that money toward something better.

Just called and the RC360 is now gone, so I guess that's not an option.

Looks like it's between the Pioneer, Yamaha, and maybe Denon. I'd say I'm strongly leaning Yamaha since it seems to have more features then the other. Any other options in this price range that I should consider?

What about if I decided I really had to have something with network capability? I don't think the Pioneer, Yamaha, or Denon are network capable. Are there are any network receivers similar to the 509 for around $150-$200?

Can anyone please help?

Thanks. I think I'm just really dissapointed/pissed off that I couldn't get the Onkyo 509 for $150. I guess I just need to let that go and move on.

Comparing the Pioneer VSX-821, Yamaha RX-V471, and Denon AVR-1312, which would be the most highly recommended out of those 3? Just based on the comparison link on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-82.../dp/B004M8RPB8) it seems like the Yamaha would be the best choice. Is that correct?