Hey,

I'm in college and haven't got a superior experience in sound equipment. My dad owns vicious sound equipment and has explained most stuff to me but thats for his cds and turn table. I just bought a PS3 and HDTV and now I'm looking for sound. I'm passionate about music and refuse to have anything but good sound, however, this is the first time I'm having to get my own equipment.

Basically, I'm looking a for a good amp and speakers to start off with. I'm searching for a pre amp and amp in one. I know a friend who has a sony integrated amp like this but when I went to their website all I found was "Home Theater A'V receivers"...I quite liked the ones that have 7.1ch but what exactly are those A/V receivers? Can someone explain exactly what the difference between an amp and A/V receiver is? I want to have a system that I can use for my Blu Ray movies so through that and also eventually through a CD player. I quite like the Magneplanar MMG as speakers as my dad has Magneplanear, only way up there...and they're monsters. I'm confused as to what to get for all this....I know cables complete the deal and are just as important. At this point I just want to get a feel for whats what but I'm not looking at an infinite budget let's say.

Thanks a lot for your help! much appreciated...