AV Receiver Help me narrow it down

I am looking for a receiver, looking for comments.

1. price range 800-1300ish (if more I need a selling point to get it by the wife)
2. Must have pre-outs (I do not have an amp now)
3. I do not need phono port
4. I do not need analog inputs
5. would like to have it in the closet, not sure if that matters
6. Would like at least 7 speakers
7. Pass through wanted
8. HDMI 1.4
9. Mostly for movies, like 90%, I use iTunes so some ability for that would be nice.

too many choices... help me trim it down.