As you may have read in my other thread, I'm trying to figure out where to go with my next A/V system. The deciding factor will be whether or not HDMI is the way to go. Does anyone have experience comparing the sound of an HDMI hookup versus say, optical or coaxial to a A/V receiver for digital sound (especially cd's)? And I've heard, from reliable sources, that component video hookups can look as good or better than HDMI. That has not been what I've seen personally using Monster M1000 audiophile HDMI compared to component video - the HDMI was clearly better (another bad pun!) for video in my system. So it's back to audio and I don't really want to run out and buy a HDMI compatible receiver just to see if the audio is any better or not. SO... if anyone has done comparisons I'm all ears!

Thank you!

G