pre-amps, amps, and receivers...HELP

[Pilam69]

You can go really nuts on this if you want but if you are just wanting a nice clean sound with lots of inputs/outputs and good surround you can accomplish it for WELL UNDER $1,000. Sony makes a "Home Theater in a Box" system with HDMI passthruogh and an upconverting DVD player for less than $600. This includes a powered sub, speakers for all 5 channels of surround, and plenty of in/outputs. Some people will rail against the "box" solution but it is the simplest and fastest way to quality sound. Is it going to take FULL advantage of Blu sound? No. Can you tell? Doubtful. Most trained ears could tell but could you or I? I am betting no. Also, what kind of room are you using? If you don't have a good acoustically designed room then why spend thousands of dollars trying to make it sound good, it won't work.

Seriously, pre-amp and the like is way overkill for most of us. I doubt, based on your post, that you are a guy who needs pre-amps. That's not a knock on you, just saying I think it would be overkill based on the post you left here.

One thing I highly recommend is that you get a reciever with HDMI passthroughs. It effectively adds another HDMI input to your TV.

I run a Sony setup in my home that came out of a box and then I upgraded the reciever. I think it sounds great. When I watch movies my neighbors think it sounds great too!! I can run my DVD player, PS3, Wii, and cable through my reciever with no problems.

Hope this helps!!