Get rid of the old receiver, get a pre/pro or get an HDMI switch?

Well I've just finished off my home theater room. Previously I just had a HDTV, and my receiver/sat box/ps3 etc were all right next to the HDTV. Now I've got a projector, and ran one HDMI from the computer, and one HDMI from the equipment closet.

My issue is that the receiver I have is a NAD T 752. Fairly old now, and unfortunately does not ANY HDMI ins/outs. That is an issue as I have a PS3, Shaw high def box, VCR in the equipment closet. The NAD still works great (Is a little loud though, I think the fan may need to be replaced/heatsink cleaned. It is a 5.1 receiver, but that's all I really have room for here (And all I ran speaker wire for.)

So, I could perhaps get a pre/pro as the NAD does have RCA inputs. Not really sure how much they cost either. Other option is to get a new receiver. I would probably want one with the audissy or whatever it is called. An issue here is that the front speakers are some old Adire Audio Kit 281's. (They are a 4 ohm speaker) That may make getting a new receiver a bit tough as most affordable ones crack under a 4 ohm load. (and I listen to movies fairly loud.)

Other option is to ditch the VCR and get a HDMI switch. This would be the cheapest solution. Not sure how well they work. Are they like a keyboard a/b switch where you just flip it and bingo? (Have 3 ins, one out, and just and A/B/C switch to select? Downside here is I miss out on any chance at audissy room setup. Also miss out on the Dolby Master HD sound or whatever it is. (The NAD does Dolby Digital, and DTS)

How much does audissy really add? How much does HD audio really add? If they add a LOT I certainly wouldn't be adverse to buying a pre/pro or a new receiver. I would however like to keep the budget around $500 CAD. I think I spent $1200 CAD on this receiver, and while it has server me very very well, it sucks that now it's outdated, and now I'm not really sure what to do with the thing. Other then use it as a very expensive paper weight?

Thanks!!

I've called all around the city and cant really find any of the xx12 series. I found a floor model 3312 that they were willing to let go for $800 CAD. That's a bit more then I wanted to spend. Not sure if the extra capabilities would really help, but looks like the 2113 is around $650 ish.

Any good places to buy one from the states that wouldn't charge me an arm and leg shipping?

I appreciate the comments, and no offence, but have you heard my old 'entry level' speakers? With my current setup they absolutely blow the pants off *anything* that can be bought at futureshop/bestbuy. Not only in sound quality but in looks as well. I finished them in cherry with a very nice finish. They also match the sound of the center and surrounds fairly well. Not perfect, but enough that it's not terribly noticeable. Audussey may make that difference larger, or smaller, or the same, I don't know. I do know that polks or pioneers would defiantly *not* match. It's not that difficult to find an AVR to drive 4 ohm speakers. Futureshop sells an AVR that specs it'll do fine with a 4 ohm load for $300!! It doesn't need to be a powerhouse of an amp either, as they are fairly efficient speakers (91 dB sensitivity if I recall) That's a perk for most 4 ohm designs, usually higher sensitivity.

Ditching these would make the setup more convoluted as I'd have to mess with the sub x-over (these poor 4 ohm speakers can play very low, being a dual 8" ported design, with a fair amount of excursion. And when I listen to music I dislike having a separate sub on. I like 2 speakers on any setup. A budget speaker would not be able to satisfy that.

Enough of that. Anyway, my budget isn't that strict. The only reason I wanted a lower budget was on my last AVR I think I paid $1200 CAD. That was a fine price for it. I'm only having regrets now as it's missing HDMI and now it'll essencially become a paperweight. An expensive paperweight. I'd hate that to happen to it's replacement in 5 years when the next new interconnect tech emerges. Although if I had gone with a cheaper AVR back then, would it have lasted me as long as this one has without ever skipping a beat, or would have a cheaper AVR died out years and years ago?? If spending an extra few hundred dollars will net me a lot better performance, I'm fine with it. I just dislike hitting the wall of diminishing returns. If I pump the budget up to $800 does that make the selection easier?

That's good to know. I knew speakers impedance changes freq to freq, I just didn't know many 8 ohm speakers would actually dip lower then that! My 4 ohm speakers drop I think to 3.7 ohms at the lowest. Sorry, I should have clarified more. The speakers don't have passive subs. The mid's are an 8" driver. Two of em with a tweet sandwiched in between. I do have a 15" sub with it's own 300 watt amp. I just don't play it with music.

Any other receiver recomendations? Finding the Denon 2112 is impossible here in Canada. I'll go check out the 3312 today and see if I can talk them down any from the $800 price they quoted me on the phone. Thanks everyone!

I just decided to have a look at costco's website. They have the Denon 2312 for $650, the Onkyo TX-NR515 for $530 or the Harmon 3600 for $600. So many options. Would my best bet to try and talk the 3312 down? Or get one of the other 2 from Costco? Any other options worth considering?

Beeman, you are making assumptions. You've no idea how old my old speakers are. I think the kit is about 8 years or so old. Speaker tech has not changed in that time frame. No one here seems to be arguing. Your advice was terrible by the way. Scrap speakers and buy new speakers and spend way less on a receiver as half my budget had been eaten by speakers?

I pumped up the budget and picked up a Denon 3312. If it fails to drive my speakers, no big deal as it has pre outs, and the NAD has a 5.1 input. I also have a NAD 2200 2 channel power amp that I *might* be able to get working. (I had it for a few years but then unfortunately it stopped working.) I didn't look to close at why it quit working, could be an easy inexpensive fix. Or as others have mentioned, a new separate outboard amp.