I am also using 4 of the lowly Harmony 650 in my systems. They work great for me. For about $50 each they are well worth it. Even I can program them, they are simple. My original remotes look brand new since I don't use them anymore. I don't care when I drop them since they are so inexpensive. Rugged also, haven't needed to replace one yet and they have taken a beating.

I use the Harmony Elite and have been very happy with it. It's hub based and user programmable via their Ipad app. Simple to add or delete components and reorder turn on or off sequences. It is wife friendly as well.

Craig I'm using a universal remote in my home theater, no computer needed to program and it has macro functions so I press one power on button and off to turn on everything and shut down. However now I was given a remote from Comcast that I can speak into which controls what programs I watch and it controls the volume on the Mcintosh Mx120 which was free. It is also programable for other sources. Call your cable provider.

I also use a harmony 650 and recently changed my preamp to an Esoteric C-03 which was not in their online database. Programming the Esoteric could not have been easier. If this remote fails or gets dropped, no worries.

Thanks everyone for the great insight!