Thought I knew HDTV and Audio. I thought wrong...

[hizzaah]

Will do. A final question from here, as mentioned earlier in our conversation: Does BluRay use an audio code for surround sound that this amp can not process? I still get sound from the bluray and sounds pretty good but im thinking it might be b/c of the faulty wiring job. The receiver does take digital optical audio...but is there an actual code coming through that wire that the receiver can not process meaning no surround sound? If that's the case then the new amp is a must right?

That's one of the areas where my knowledge is lacking.. I think it only processes Dolby Digital and DTS over optical (when Blurays can do hi-def audio such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio), but your reciever doesn't support those higher quality audio types anyways. So yes, a new receiver would give you higher quality audio options. Again, I only have a basic understanding so I'm not 100% positive.

And I think some tv's only output 2.0 through optical when combined with an HDMI source, but it doesn't sound like this is the case (if it were, you would connect both HDMI and Optical to the BR then route the HDMI to the TV and plug Optical directly to the AVR).

 

[BIG_KAHUNA]

AWESOME LINK: A Guide to Home Theater Audio CODECs - Blu-ray Forum
For all the new guys out there anyways. Lists all these settings and what the do. The website says my amp will do: "The decoding circuitry performs Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES (DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1), DTS Neo:6 and DTS 96/24 decoding with extreme accuracy, as well as all digital sound field processing."

From that website in the link above:
"The three lossless CODECs supported by Blu-Ray Disc and HD-DVD are LPCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA."
and
"Optical (Toslink) and Digital S/PDIF cables cannot carry Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD High Resolution Audio, LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS HD Master audio signals. You need an HDMI cable."

Ergo, you need a receiver with HDMI in/out to get the full audio from bluray and hddvd.

 

[BIG_KAHUNA]

This is the amp im thinking:

Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-V373 5.1-Channel AV Receiver: Electronics

OH, and I'm trying to find info on ohms. Info says these speakers have a nominal impedance of 8ohms, but the amp says 150Wx5 @ 6ohms?

 

[hizzaah]

well there ya go then.. So yes, higher quality sound requires a new receiver. I'm not positive that you'd be blown away by a new receiver since you've already got a decent one (albeit a tad out dated) and good quality speakers, but you probably wouldn't regret the purchase either.

Edit: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v373_black_u/


Rated Output Power (1kHz, 1ch driven) 100W (8ohms, 0.9% THD)
Rated Output Power (1kHz, 2ch driven) 85W (8ohms, 0.9% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms) 110/130/160/180W

 

[agarwalro]

You must not place things on top of the receiver or amp. Blocking the vents will cause overheating. Even if the receiver does not fail, the life expectancy will go down.

 

[BIG_KAHUNA]

That white stuff is DIY spacers to provide a couple of inches of clearance between the two. I thought I remember seeing that site saying something about it defaulting to 2ch when the proper DTS isnt available. Guess well find out. If I cant hear a difference i guess ill just take it back

 

[ACsGreens]

Well, given your choice of table top "water" furniture, you may be mis-remembering . That made me lol at work, quite hard enough that co-workers came out to see what was wrong, flashback i guess . I think that the surrounds will be fine, but like has been discussed simply use them as surrounds not rears. I would maybe look into the new receiver, Yamaha is still making good ones. Groovy place dude, enjoy the system!!

Side Note- If you listen at loud volumes, I would strongly suggest looking into the "aventage" line. I know some on here will say it does not matter, an amp is an amp, but i listen to most of them daily, and the difference is huge when trying to drive large floorstanding speakers. Yes, Klipsch are efficient, but I still stand by that. If you do not list at very loud volumes, the others should be fine.