I am upgrading my old sony amp to take advantage of the HD sound from my PS3.  It is a complicated business finding a compatible amp as it has to be able to receive a linear PCM signal via the PS3's Hdmi cable. Manufacturers are not to forthcoming with info on this front. However after alot of research I am nailed down to 3 possiblities (for under £500). The Onkyo 605/606, its ability to decode HD sound is overkill as the PS3 cannot send raw HD sound via bitstream only decode it itself and send via PCM but I assume the Onkyo can receive this as well. The Denon 1908 is a solid performer from a top brand and advertises the fact it can receive a HD sound via PCM. Finally the Pioneer 1017 which I have read a review which used a PS3 in reviewing it and said it did recieve HD sound via hdmi but the manual seems to indicate that the Hdmi imput needs to be in conjunction with and analog/digital connection which I know cannot send the HD sound down (except via analoge 5.1 imputs which the PS3 does not support).

The pioneer seems to be the better out of that and the denon but I dont what to risk it without confimation that it works ok. The Onkyo gets excellent reviews but is that mainly down to its price and ability to decode HD sound which as mentioned is overkill with a PS3, would it still be better than the Denon or Pioneer.

 Any Thoughts would be appreciated

After a long time of research and deliberating have decided to get the Denon 1909. Its more than I need at the minute but decided that if I ever get a dedicated blueray player in the future, instead of the PS3 I would then get the benefit of the amp decoding Hd sound.   There is the Sony STR 820 which at £250-300 quid is great value for money and had good reviews on sound quality, but the denons extra imputs and video upscaling caplbilities win out in the end. My advise to anywone who is considering upgrading there amp (especially if they will use a PS3 for bluerays) is do your research and make sure the amp you buy receives the sound signal that the PS3 will send to it. Dont assume anything, even if some reviews lead you to believe an amp can do something, that in reality it cannot.

Next on my list is to change my hotchpotch of different speakers & makes in my surround set up to a more dedicated setup.  On a budget from what I can see (of up to £250) the Jamo A102 HC S5 seems to be a decent (but old) package for the money (£186 off the net).

 Any thoughts ?

keith Grinstead wrote (see)

is it not possible just to use the optical out for hd sound on the ps3 gives you a lot more possibilities if your looking for a new amp.

Not HD sound no.

It still has regular DTS and Dolby (Which is what I use) using the optical, you can ONLY get HD sound down a HDMI lead

Optical cable by its very nature doesnt have the capabilities of the BANDWIDTH needed for HD sound

The only thing that concerns me is that people seem to be going out of their way to get a hold of a HD capable amp at the expense of 'sound quality'! ID much rather have a decent amp that plays DTS well than plays HD 'ok'.