More Bloody Audio questions

[BrendonR]

Hi there folks,

I'm still rather new to the whole home theater situation, but I think I'm getting it (slowly).

I got my PS3 last christmas, and not too long after, moved in with the almost-inlaws (for 1 acceptable, and 7 unpleasant months due to selling our condo). I didn't really have a chance to play with my PS3/Receiver settings so now that we've got a house, I can finally tool around with it.

Currently I'm set up as follows:

PS3 - HDMI to 40" 1080i LCD/Digital Optical to JVC HTiB receiver/speakers
JVC HTiB receiver - can't remember the serial or anything, was purchased probably 5 years ago.

Now that I have my receiver back, (didn't set it up at the inlaws), I've noticed a HUGE improvement in sound quality already (vs. in the condo). I've changed my PS3 settings to output everything available (Linear pcm, and every other codec it can). My receiver's 'dts' light now shines bright (I've NEVER seen it on before).

I believe due to this I'm listening to the DTS audio track (true?) - but KNOW I can have a theater that sounds better!

My first step is to buy a new Receiver/Speaker setup - with a new display to come next (1080p plasma me-thinks). I know the onkyo's come highly recomended, but they're few and far between in Canada (and VERY expensive here too). What I'm wondering is: Everyone knows the PS3 can decode TrueHD/Master Audio, great, that's what I want to hear. So the receiver I buy doesn't necessarily have to support these codecs? For example, if I was to purchase: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0086964&catid=(HarmonKardon AVR 146) which does not "support" DTS MA or True HD - would I still be listening to these codecs as the PS3 already decoded it?

Next up, is the speaker package - I'm looking at a 5.1 setup, and nothing HUGE as my room is somewhat limited (room's about 15'x20' with the couch/display on oposite walls 15' away). Does anybody know if the smaller POLK's are any good? An similar example of what I'm looking at: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN or Klipsch: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0105917&catid=. I know these are on two opposite ends of the spectrum here... but I'm trying to see where I should really spend my cash, and how much of a return I'll get out of them.


Thanks very much for all the help

Brendon.