JJP, Smart thinking. I think the Yamaha offers more than the Sony if I were to use that receiver.

JWN; I have a Sherwood 6095R. It has both D.D. and DTS 5.1. It does not have DPL-2, just some hall modes. I have not used it in awhile but even though it is lower in power than many current basic 5.1 receivers out there, its sound quality and processing of D.D./DTS tracks are first rate. It is probably due to the yamaha chip in it. I wish I could help you on your quest. The Newcastles were supposed to have great sound and processing quality.