These are the 2 that I have been looking at
Denon 3805
Yamaha 2500

My current system is Yamaha and I love it sounds great and is bullet proof.

This time around I'm leaning towards the Denon if only to try something different

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Bigger room I'd go with 7.1 as they stated above even if its the same thing coming out of 1 or 2 extra speakers it adds to the experience and sound.

Smaller room stick to 5.1.

My 2 cents...

- Blind

 

bah . get a 6.2 more bass the better

 

the advantage from 5.1-6.1 is minimal and from 6.1 -7.1 even more so..6.1 is great with dts:es tracks, but dolby EX is a matrix'ed 6th channel (which the receiver can do on it's own anyway)..there are few DVD's that do DTS:ES (this is discrete 6.1 channels) and for those DVD's 6.1 is an improvement over 5.1, but the amount of DVD's that feature DTS:ES are so slight that I wouldn't lose sleep over it if you had a 5.1 system..I just recently upgraded my receiver to a 6.1 panasonic digital amp receiver and the 6th channel is cool, but nothing breathtaking..the only advantage of 7.1 is dolby PLIIx, which is pro logic, 2 channel material simulated into a 7.1 field. 6.1 had PLII (same thing as PLIIx except for 6.1)..fact is hardware is so advanced over it's software counterparts that unless you plan on having a 7.1 receiver for 5-8 years you are never going to even fully utilize its potential..it may come sooner with HD-DVD and blue ray DVD's, but who really knows? and how long will HD-DVD and Bluray take to actually implement itself in the movie world..I know players will cost an arm and a leg when they first get released..so in conclusion I recommend a 6.1 system because there are actually DVD's that sound great with that extra channel (gladiator for one, and probably the only one )..

 

Is 7.1 really the THX setup?

 

THx setup isn't really a "surround Sound" setting persay.. I read on it awhile back something to do with special crossovers they use and what not to get a certain sound or clarity.. not 100% though..

 

You are correct equipment must be THX certified Lucas Films created it and does the certification.
its still 5.1

 

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In 7.1 (or 6.1) the additional speakers go in the back. The only time you should run a 5.1 with speakers in the back is if you have no availble spots in the sides. Always put them to your sides.
7.1 is great if you have the room behind you. You want at least 2-3ft.

Any new reciever will have DPL IIx which will take any 5.1 signal and do a damm fine job of converting it to 7.1.

If you can afford to do 7.1 speakers and have the room go for it.