Considering Receiver Upgrade - Need Information

[jwt0001]

I currently have a Sony STR-DG920 receiver and the Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-Ray player (links at the bottom of the post).

In reading the manuals, the player states that for best audio to set it PCM output, if the receiver can handle it. I am using HDMI for my connections. When I play a blu-ray disc, the receiver shows Linear PCM on the display.

Is this the actual BEST output? With this setup, obviously the player doesn't show TrueHD, DTS, etc. Am I getting BETTER using PCM? (I know this gets asked alot, but I'm still not sure of the answer!)

I am considering upgrading my receiver and I want to know what I should be looking at in specifications that will properly tell me what I should get for the most optimal sound from the receiver from blu-ray.

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/d...=BD-P3600A/XAA

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665364793