What is Good Quality & Simple to use AV receiver?

You can't go wrong at all with the Marantz SR6003. New/refurbished with factory warranty.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6003/Marantz/Sr6003-Dolby-Truehd/Dts-hd-Master-Audio-Av-Receiver/1.html

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/content/marantz-sr6003-av-receiver

Plenty of muscle. It bench tests close to your requirements even in 7.1.

Bill

Pdn,

What you have stated with most consumer level receivers is true. The link that I referenced for the Marantz SR6003 shows that it benches at 96w/ch with 7 channels driven and 111w/ch with 5 channnels driven. In stereo it benched at 130w/ch. Marantz rates it at 100w/ch in stereo. In this case, this receiver far exceeds it's stated power rating.

I just so happen to have a NAD T773 AVR that is rated at 110w/ch(all channels driven) that is the best sounding most powerful HT receiver I have ever heard. It is also very user friendly. I took a step down(in features only) when I swapped my midlevel HDMI receiver for the NAD.

Bill