User blog comment:Allgorhythm/My Wife Calls My Study a Playroom/@comment-26175346-20150527103700/@comment-26175346-20150528010822

Ah - thank you so much for the detailed write up!

The AV Receiver came as a giveaway from family - they were thinking of throwing it away and I wouldn't have it.

It's an RX-V520 btw.

Being as old as it is and given that there's really cheap options out (coincidence: I've been considering the exact model you've suggested. Price in Europe is a bit higher but still very very affordable) I figured I'd only do sensible expenses. I got an audio extractor that feeds into the receiver's Toslink. It sends correct EDID also to the PC (I'm using a PC mediacenter for movies) so that I can get 5.1 sound to the speakers. It's ok for music too. Only issues are the volume control being non responsive at times and ofc the remote on such an old unit is not at great condition. I still enjoy giving some life to what practically belongs to the electronics recycling bin.

Another monitor is definitely a good option. My issue is space rather than the cost, I'm in a small flat in the city center which is crammed as it is. My screens are a 42" in the living room and 26" in the PC room. 21" would be nice and I think I have 2-3 HDMI switches laying around. I'd need to find where to fit it though :)