damn thing is retail for around 560 I just wonder how good it
is. I can get this for 330 but I want a good cd player with all
the extras.
If you know of any that are better are if you have a your 2 cents
on the unit please post

 

I've had a 717 (one model down) since June and it's a nice unit. The 817 gives you the slicker display and one or two other bells and wistles. It's a pretty solid reciever and I've built a decent-size system off of it.

My one complaint would be the ergonomics; some of the buttons are small and hard to find without looking, hard to operate with gloves. Hopefully you live someplace warm where the latter wouldn't be a problem