You've definately hit a rut. Happens to all of us. The answer for most of my IR problems has been the MX-800. adding RS-232 and power sensing would take it to the next level. I suppose I could use the Xantech power sensing equipment, but I haven't yet.

For the few of us stupid enough to use Harman Kardon equipment they are working on an interface box for the direct connection in the back. Thank You Lord.

In my limited world I have yet to find a single integrator that ever went back to pronto after using the MX 700/800. They have had some problems but the support is there.