Time to upgrade my surround system

[bigmf]

Ok, I posted last month about the Durabrand system I bought. Well the remodelling is done and it is time for me to start properly looking for a new (proper) surround system.

My Set up is Westinghouse 42w2, PS3, Motorola Cable box-DVR, and of course the Durabrand thing.

I have a budget of $500 - $1000 Canadian. I had originally wanted an onkyo 790. I would forgo the HDMI sound for optical with this set-up but the quality looked good and I've heard good things on the internets. The propblem is that Onkyo is hard to find in Canada and the prices are absolutely rediculous compared to US prices. No US sites I have seen will ship HTIBs to Canada.

Therefore I'm looking for some alternatives.

I've looked at the Sony HTDDW900 - it has HDMI passthrough but no sound processing over HDMI. HDMI on this seems pointless as I have plenty of video inputs available on the Westy and sound would be through optical anyway. I've also heard that the Sony speakers are not the greatest. Good price though - $435

Sooooooo... What is out there that can compete with the Onkyo, or where can I get the Onkyo in my price range? Also, in this price range in Canada is there the possibility of getting LPCM sound?

I've done a lot of research and have just ended up confused.

Thanks for any help you can give.