Also, my MX-500 has developed some signal strength issues where a direct shot at the components doesn't seem to send a strong enough signal for various functions, but bouncing it to the component stack with a RF extender does. Presumably, it's boosting the signal strength in the process.

It looks like the R40 is actually a newer version of the R50 and addresses some of the problems, so that may be worth considering. I really dislike the volume/channel placement, though. That'll feel like the garbage OEM and universal remotes that are a block of indistinguishable buttons to the touch.

I also dislike the R40/50's change to only six LCD buttons per page, even if more pages are available. The ten per of the MX-500 allows a lot of flexibility for grouping command. That doesn't seem like progress...

Dan