I don't have any suggestions in that range that I can recommend, but if you do a search in this forum you're bound to find endless threads every month it seems on HT receivers. I can answer your question on what 5.1 and 7.1 represents. The first number (in this case the 5) is the number of speakers it can support. The second digit (in this case the 1) is the number of subwoofers you choose to connect. I'd say this. If you have a small area where you're putting your speakers, go for a 5.1 as you'll find it hard to mount or fit stands behind you for a 7.1 system. You may save a hundred or two just on having a 5.1 receiver. I got a Pioneer Elite which I got from under cost from an employee (I like to brag about this fact in every HT thread
).