bnk

No satellite/cable. Movies are purely downloads. No games console. Music mainly mp3 and flacs. The solution is just for me. I also wonder if it is possible to use a high end stereo amp for the fronts and another for the rears (although currently I don't use them).

Looking DD and DTS support on my HTPC to replace the receiver's built in processor. There are external processors (for example Nakamichi with a USB to SPDIF converter such as peachtree), USB sound cards (which?), Lynx sound cards or just a get a new HT receiver (Denon, Marantz?) I also thought of driving the front (main) speakers with a separate 2-way amplifier (such as the odyssey audio or a mcintosh) - what do you think? What is the best budget-wise way to go?

I agree and I will look for a second hand older processor (which?) Another option I though of is to use a dedicated DAC for music (front L/R speakers) and a budget receiver for the center/rears. The problem is that the front channels will have to pass through the receiver to the pre outputs (I have dedicated power amps for the fronts). Another problem is that listening to DTS will use the receivers DAC for the fronts and the center (and too bad not all (new) music come in DTS or other 24 bit HD formats).

What will you recommend? Can be USB, firewire or spdif connected to the HTPC. There is the possibility of Xonar ST with expansion card. Xonar ST: Its DAC SQ compares to which external receivers (Onkyo, Yamaha, Rotel, mcintosh )?

I'm looking for an Hi End preamp/processor/sound card to handle my HTPC's movies (5.1, 7.1, DTS, AC3) and music. My current setup includes a Nakamichi Av-10 receiver and self made very hi end speakers (Scan Speak components). I own self build gain clone power amps (120W and 60W, including built in pre stage) for all channels. I thought of using an Asus Xonar ST (+H6 expansion board) instead of the AV-10. The AV-10 has a noisy fan, and hiss sound on high volumes, while nothing plays (My power amps, for example, don't). I want to avoid the hiss and fan noises. How would you compare the sound of the Xonar ST to that of the AV-10? The Hi End sound is especially important for the two front channels (Music and Movies). Which second hand processors would you recommend? Would recommend using a usb/firewire DAC for the two front channels for best Music reproduction and use an Xonar HDAV deluxe for the rest of the channels (or ST+H6)? I prefer to buy second hand. My budget is flexible up to ~1000$.