Is HDMI worth It in term of sound quality?

You can still take advantage of the same uncompressed audio as with HDMI provided your source can decode the new formats and have analog audio outs to your preamp. I "down graded" from an HDMI equipped low/mid level Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver to a flagship NAD T773 receiver with no HDMI. I use my Oppos multichannel audio outs to the NAD's multichannel audio ins and let the Oppo decode the new HD audio formats. I initially switched to the NAD because I wanted a flagship receiver with better overall sound when playing music. Not as convenient as HDMI but the NAD is just a better built, better sounding piece of gear than the low/mid level Onkyo.

On the flip side, the Pioneer receiver you are interested in is of very high quality(as today's receivers go) and does have just about all the modern conveniences available today.

Bill

I disagree to get 1080p you need hdmi. But most of the sources are not 1080p anyhow. It a toss up and what you need out of the system.

I love lossless codecs. Dolby Digital sounds flat and lifeless now. My system is geared towards High-Def movie playback though. Hdmi is the easiest way to get what I want.Willland makes a good point, with the right gear you can get the same results. It will cost you more money and time to achieve it though.

"Willland makes a good point, with the right gear you can get the same results. It will cost you more money and time to achieve it though."

My point was that you could get a 5 or 6 year old non HDMI flagship receiver or pre/pro for a fraction of the cost of a newer top tier HDMI piece. I paid $350.00 for a "like new" 6 year old flagship NAD T773 receiver($1799.00 new) and $100.00 for a "well cared for" B&K Reference 4430(200w/ch) 3-channel amp($1700.00 new). I also picked up my Oppo BDP-83 for $200.00. Each individually good examples of performance/cost ratio. All together, great bang for the buck to take advantage of the new HD codecs with overall very good sound quality and picture quality.

Bill

What do you as which is a better receiver - Pioneer SC35 or Arcam AVR350?