Well, I can't recomend a piece but I can give you some good advice. I don't know why you are not getting sound that is strange maybe the hdmi standard is different they have changed.
First piece of advice any processor or receiver will outdate every couple of years. Things change it is the way it is. This is a good and bad thing with seprates you don't have to replace as much but don't buy a receiver thinking you will keep it forever. at the $500 price range they are usally non upgradable.
For $500 don't worry about THX. It is a certification and really means nothing other than they paid alot for it and garentees some sort of sound standard, However that cost for the certification has to come form somewhere in the price and unless you are running pretty good stuff 5K+ speakers etc. THX really means very little.
Hope this helps a bit.
First piece of advice any processor or receiver will outdate every couple of years. Things change it is the way it is. This is a good and bad thing with seprates you don't have to replace as much but don't buy a receiver thinking you will keep it forever. at the $500 price range they are usally non upgradable.
For $500 don't worry about THX. It is a certification and really means nothing other than they paid alot for it and garentees some sort of sound standard, However that cost for the certification has to come form somewhere in the price and unless you are running pretty good stuff 5K+ speakers etc. THX really means very little.
Hope this helps a bit.