Hi. I'm looking to upgrade my computer from PC to home theater system, and want to upgrade my audio to 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. The idea is to have a projector for movies, sports, games, etc... to make the environment more immersive, and I want a sound system to compliment that. The problem is that I know very little about audio hardware. I can put a computer together, but have never been an audio guy, so my knowledge on the subject is really limited.
Do I need both a sound card and a stereo receiver? Which devices should I be looking at? What should I be looking for in those devices? Which connections (and cables) are preferred? What are some good speakers that aren't going to break the bank?
Do I need both a sound card and a stereo receiver? Which devices should I be looking at? What should I be looking for in those devices? Which connections (and cables) are preferred? What are some good speakers that aren't going to break the bank?