Hi everyone!

We're building a house and my husband arranged for the contractor to install in-ceiling wiring and speakers for a home theater system. (Of course he didn't bother to talk to me about it first.)

So now I've found out that we have the following:

5 speakers by Proficient Audio Systems, Model C660 - 125 watts
10" subwoofer by Proficient Audio Systems - 125 watts

I spent 2 hours talking to the guy who was installing them, drawing a diagram of how everything needs to be hooked up later and trying to get an idea of what type of receiver to buy.

I have an older Sony 32" TV that will eventually be replaced with some kind of HDTV but not for awhile. I also have a digital cable box, an Onkyo CD changer and a JVC DVD/VCR recorder.

He told me to buy a receiver that is not more than 700 watts. (I've blown out speakers in the past.)

I think I've narrowed it down to the Yamaha RX-V659 and the Pioneer VSX-816K. Both are 7.1 channel because there doesn't seem to be much of anything available for 5.1. The Pioneer is 770 total watts, though. Do I run the risk of blowing speakers?

Also, the Pioneer is considerably less expensive than the Yamaha for what seems like comparable features. Why? (BTW, my budget is a max of $400.)

Could someone please give me some guidance?

TIA,
LisaB