Cambridge Audio 640R or Onkyo TXSR606?

[anth.payne]

I have been looking at getting my first AV Receiver to connect up to my HTPC

I have been looking at the CA 640R and Onkyo 606

What's the difference between the two systems?

Is one better than the other?

Also can anyone recommend any decent speakers? - Looking at the Tannoy SFX5.1 (+2 extra)...?

Or are there any better options for the money?

Thanks

[flexo]

the jamo a102 hcs5 are decent speakers for their price. look at the threads below for more information
Jamo A102-HCS5 5.1 Speaker System
Jamo A102 HCS 5 Owner Reviews Please

[JimBobVFR400]

Whats your likely use of the amp and what kit will you be connecting?

My thoughts are the CA will be the better bet for 2 Channel Music, The amps will be of better quality and it would be my preference. The HDMI is a switch only and wont offer any audio capability

The Onkyo offers all the bells and whistles, including decoding of HD audio and LPCM via HDMI. My suspicions are the amps are nowhere near the quality of the CA and the stereo performance will most likely be inferior.

The above may be balls. I've heard a CA340R and been impressed, I've heard an Onkyo 605 (older model) and been less than impressed. Having said that the listening was in different rooms with different speakers. Only an audition (preferably with the speakers you are going to be pairing the amp with) can tell you which you prefer

[anth.payne]

My main emphasis is going to be connecting my HTPC. This will be hosting a Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H 780G Socket AM2+ onboard VGA 8 channel audio mATX Motherboard - Ebuyer motherboard. This supports 7.1ch audio, and I would be hoping to connect it via the built in optical out.

I aim to get ultimate sound quality from my DVD collection, which I will be ripping to disk to form an eLibrary.

Music is not much of an issue to me...

I want to get a quality product, to produce superb sound, that is a future proof purchase.

Also - do you recommend any speakers? Looking at Tannoy SFX5.1 - seen some nice ones from KEF?

Thanks