Onkyo 609 or the Denon AVR-2311CI

609: Pro: Better quality video chip, networking Con: Audyssey 2EQ (no sub EQ)
2311CI: Pro: Better Audyssey MultEQ (2x speaker filter resolution + sub EQ) Con: non-networking

So depends on which is more important ... networking vs. better audio fidelity.

Nope ... the 616 (and 717 for that matter) only use Audyssey 2EQ (so better quality audio will come from any Denon model except the bottom 1312 or 1513 both of which don't offer any version of Audyssey at all) ... if you're trying to keep costs down, you can get a Denon 1613 which is networking and still offers the better version of Audyssey MultEQ. In the XX12 models, the 1912 is the lowest networking model, while in the XX13 models it's the 1613.

If the budget is $400 at accessories4less, get the Denon 2112 for $349 plus shipping.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR2112CI/DENON-AVR-2112CI-7.1-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver/1.html

or if you're willing to go up to $430 get the Denon 2312 for $429 shipped.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR2312CI/DENON-AVR-2312CI-7.2-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver/1.html

Both have networking and Audyssey MultEQ XT