Lots of valuable suggestions so far. The "what sounds good to you" suggestion is truly the last word regardless of what you read anywhere. Unfortunately, with the vanishing brick and mortar stores available to audition these products your/we're left with reviews suggestions and most importantly personal comparative experiences such as Docrobbi has done. You may notice he didn't get into the this is better than that talk. I'm guessing he's made some good choices which simply got better with every upgrade.
I'm on my second upgrade from 5.1 Integra/Sony/Triangle to a Full Pioneer Elite 7.1 HDMI, Blueray , Plasma,/Triangle system.
IMO the Integra/Onkyo was my choice for a linear solid state receiver in my 5.1 system. The Arcam had a slightly more refined sound but lacked the HT controls of the day. for my 7.1 system I was able to audition the Arcam, Marantz, Integra, and Denon, in the same location. I auditioned the Sony, Pioneer, Denon, and Nad, in another location. Not exactly a scientific comparison but it didn't need to be. The class D Pioneer Elite was a clear favorite and made system integration very simple. My choice for a linear amplified receiver would be the Integra/Onkyo.
You'll notice in the audio and HT world there are more speaker systems than any other component. That's because speakers are so critical in your perceived sound, or what you want you system to sound like. Fortunately, with seven channels a speakers attributes need not be as critical as with a two channel system. Here again, "what sounds good to you" is key. Keep in mind the sensitivity specification, the higher the number the easier the load on a receivers smallish power supply.
No room is too small for 7.1 with room correction. I typically suggest seven matching smaller two way speakers and a real subwoofer like a Velodyne or JL.
I'm on my second upgrade from 5.1 Integra/Sony/Triangle to a Full Pioneer Elite 7.1 HDMI, Blueray , Plasma,/Triangle system.
IMO the Integra/Onkyo was my choice for a linear solid state receiver in my 5.1 system. The Arcam had a slightly more refined sound but lacked the HT controls of the day. for my 7.1 system I was able to audition the Arcam, Marantz, Integra, and Denon, in the same location. I auditioned the Sony, Pioneer, Denon, and Nad, in another location. Not exactly a scientific comparison but it didn't need to be. The class D Pioneer Elite was a clear favorite and made system integration very simple. My choice for a linear amplified receiver would be the Integra/Onkyo.
You'll notice in the audio and HT world there are more speaker systems than any other component. That's because speakers are so critical in your perceived sound, or what you want you system to sound like. Fortunately, with seven channels a speakers attributes need not be as critical as with a two channel system. Here again, "what sounds good to you" is key. Keep in mind the sensitivity specification, the higher the number the easier the load on a receivers smallish power supply.
No room is too small for 7.1 with room correction. I typically suggest seven matching smaller two way speakers and a real subwoofer like a Velodyne or JL.