Please help me decide on a receiver: Yamaha(s) or Denon

[steveb]

I'm looking for a mid-range HT receiver and have narrowed the field to Yamaha and Denon. I'd appreciate any perspective on deciding between:
Yamaha RX-V1400
Yamaha RX-V750
Denon AVR-2803

My criteria:

Sound quality - both stereo and 5.1/6.1/7.1 HT

Ability to "grow" with my system - I plan to add an HDTV as well as potentially a DVD Audio/SACD player soon.

Price - Lower is always better. All can be had below $600 online, but would prefer to be in the $400-500 range. I am intrigued by the Denon AVR-2805 but it's looking like street price will be in the mid-$700's...too much for me. I also tossed out Harman Kardon due to price.

Ease of use - My wife and son need to be able to use the system as well and are less technically proficient.

Any/all comments/prioritizations appreciated. Thanks!

[kexodusc]

I went with the RX-V1400 basically because of the Parametric Equalization feature. In hindsight, I don't find it makes nearly as big a difference as the hype would suggest it should. So much so I'm not sure it's worth the extra $200 or so over say an RX-V650 or RX-V750. I certainly don't buy that the RX-V1400 is "the bottom of Yamaha's better receivers while the 750 is the top of Yamaha's entry level"...the difference were nowhere near that substantial. After hearing my neighbors RX-V740 (last year's model), I'm not even sure the power supply and amp section of the 1400 is significantly better than the 650/750. I use 2 Adcom 535II amps anyway, so it wasn't an issue. I wanted zone 2 and the YPAO stuff. I'm happy with my decision nonetheless, the 1400 is a great receiver.
I honestly believe in hindsight that the 650 or 750 would provide more value and almost comparable performance for most uses. Video conversion being the exception.

The Denon AVR-2803 was the runner up to my 1400, the 2805 wasn't then available. It (2805) is an equally impressive receiver in my opinion, but quite costly as well. Make sure you'll use all the features of the 2805/1400 before purchasing either. If you won't, that $150-$200 will go further somewhere else in your system.

[steveb]

Thanks. Yamaha manages to make selection even more confusing with the HTR series, as I looked at the HTR5790 and HTR5760 vs. the RX-V1400 and RX-V750. It is hard to see the difference, other than color scheme and price.

[kexodusc]

I'm 99% sure the 5760 is the 650's equivalent. I don't think it has the phono stage the 750 has. Otherwise a solid receiver. If you're worried about power, component video conversion, phono or suspect you have issues with room acoustics, the 5790/1400 (equivalent models with cosmetic differences) might be for you though. If not, you might find the 5760/650 or 750 models more to your budgetary likings.

Denon has a parallel line as well...a good spot for Denon receiver is:
http://www.dakmart.com/website/Items.asp?cID=111