Audio Systems: receiver recomendation, audiophile voice, control boxes

Question
wondering if you can help make a recommendation.  I have a small home theater (4.1 setup) I consider myself an audiophile and built all my speakers myself. My system uses the receiver really as just a pre/pro with external amps for every channel so technically a processor could be better but are usually more expensive.
I've had GREAT success with Onkyo in the past.  I have their flagship Tx-DS989 receiver which is great but doesn’t have HDMI, nor does it decode the new audio formats like DTS-HD MA. Reviews on onkyo gear show some longevity problems lately which I'm not happy about.
I would love a preamp/processor (or receiver) that has all the latest formats (not interested in 3d really), I need it to mix the missing center channel into the mains since I don’t have a center.  also upscale component/composite etc. to hdmi. and have preamp outs for every channel. something in the $500-600 range maybe?
I was really excited about the emotiva UMC-1 but research says its very buggy which I dont need.
If you have any particularly good or bad experience in this niche please let me know.
Thanks!

Answer
Sorry, I just don't make equipment recommendations.  Why?  There are too many subjective factors involved.  Color, price, size or footprint, heat, power consumption, feature factors, service, retailer reliability and so on just to name a few.

I suggest you budget your time for a few hours on the Internet reading up on reviews done by reliable reviewers.  One magazine that I write for occasionally is The Audiophile Voice published by Gene Pitts.  They have reviewed some good control boxes lately that you should look at.  There are other magazines as well as audio blogs and reports of many kinds that you can find with some googling around.

I like Denon and Onkyo both; they are of the same general caliber in engineering and quality.  But, at the high end or esoteric level you should expect some reliability problems as these more sophisticated designs inherently need a little more tender loving care to keep them going long term.

Happy Hunting!  Let me know what you decide on.