Need suggestions for a 5.1 receiver

I'm currently working on replacing my Klipsch 2.1 Pro-Media speakers. I have come to a point where I would really like to have 5.1 sound and I recently got the HT Omega Striker 7.1 audio card which happens to have SPDIF out.

What I was thinking of doing was getting some sort of receiver that has SPDIF-in and connect it to my sound card that way and then use standard bookshelf speakers that I piece together myself (I have two + a sub already picked out to start) and hook them up the receiver that way. I see a few advantages to doing it this way besides just better audio quality as well. I can also hook up other components such as my video game systems and TV to them as well since I use my computer and watch TV from the same place and the screens are right next to each other.

My question though, is, I know NOTHING about audio equipment for the most part. I know a few brands here and there, but when it comes to anything outside of speakers, I'm pretty much at a loss. So what is a good brand receiver that isn't very expensive? I don't really have a price ceiling necessarily, but I would like to keep it reasonable. I would like it to be able to do DTS and DD5.1 (My card can do that though so I don't know if the receiver must be able to as well). I would like for it to support at least 3 input sources and be able to handle at least 5.1.

What would you guys suggest?

Let me be the first one to suggest the Panasonic XR-55, at a bit lower than $200, I believe.

I have had no problems with my Harmon Kardon AVR146. It doesn't process HDMI audio, but I don't need that anyways.

~$250 off Amazon.com
~$200 from HK [refurbished]

Not a bad reciever for the money, imo.

The Panasonic mentioned above does have a good following, though.

I got a deal on this:

http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/STR-DG600

open box at Fry's for 49 bucks. I couldn't believe it. Makes me wonder what they sell for new. That said, maybe these are less than 2 bones. It really is a decent receiver for everything it offers.

Thank you guys for the suggestions. I will look into each of those receivers.

Just out of curiousity, do you guys happen to know of any balancing software that works like the Vista surround balancing application? I'm looking to see if just balancing what I have doesn't do the trick first.

If you're looking for a PC based 5.1 solution then the above are decent options, although I'd probably not even go for a dedicated receiver. I'd just get a 5.1 speaker set like the logitech 5500's and leave it at that.

If you're starting to look for a 5.1 setup for home cinema or similar, then it may be worth checking out receivers like the Onkyo 605's (or 505's).