HTPC noob: best audio solution?

[maple_syrup]

Building a new low-end HTPC and need help with sound setup. I have AMD780G on Gigabyte GA-MA78GM with 7.1 surround onboard - so do I need an audio receiver or direct out to speakers would do? Are there any speakers that amplify before out? With audio out to LCD TV on HDMI, will audio passthrough HDMI to TV or to speakers through SPDIF? Or should I take audio out from TV to speakers? What connection gives best results - pros/cons? Based on this research I plan to pick up my speakers and receiver if need be. Please advise on receiver and speaker models - looking for a good theater experience! Thanks n cheers!





Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H AMD780G mATX, Seasonic S12II 500W EPS, AMD Athlon II X2 250 Dual Core, Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-8500C5 4GB, Western Digital 1TB WD10EADS Caviar Green, Samsung SH-S223Q/BEBS Lightscribe, Nmedia HTPC-5000B case.

[SinCron]

A receiver really is the best way to go in these cases. Sure you can get these pissy little setups that use the "sub-woofer" to handle the low mids and below or you can get crystal clear sound by getting a receiver. If you don't cary about the 7.1 and just want 5.1, hit up a pawn shop (if you're on a budget) or kijiji. Also see if it powers the sub-woofer or just provides a preamp out (in the form of a single RCA connection). Then just get five 8 ohm speakers and a powered sub (as this will most likely be the case) and away you go. Hell, I saw a decent 5.1 setup at Value Village for just under $100 so it's very doable. Don't forget, the receiver method also covers pretty much EVERYTHING else as well and I've listened to music in 5.1 and it's not bad.