New Processors passing HD Sound?

I realize you didn't want a receiver, but the Onkyo 805 receiver supports the new HD formats and has pre-outs that would still allow you to use your amp.

Integra and Onkyo are the only ones I know of right now and good luck getting one any time soon. I was waiting for the Integra, but it's been on back log for some time and I can't get my hands on one for at least a few more months.

I wanted HDMI-1.3 and the Audyssey MultEQ and these units have both. Didn't want to wait so I picked up a Integra DTR-7.8 reciever for the time being. I use my Acurus amps, but the Integra is pretty darned good by itself. I was surprised.

I'll probably get the Integra pre down the road, but this will hold me over and I've been extremely happy with it so far. Couldn't ask for much more for HT, but two channel audio is nothing to write home about.

BTW, the Integra line is still built in Japan.

If the Sony has the HD processors built in and 5.1 analog outputs, simply connect the 5.1 analog output to the 5.1 input of any preamp and you will get the HD sound.

Thanks for the responses so far. It looks like Denon has come out with several receivers as well - not sure what I'll get running "pre-out" to my amp.
Px25: That's what I originally thought as well, but the HD signal is ONLY passed thru the HDMI cable. In other words, all you get from 5.1 is 5.1, not HD sound, as it has been explained to me by several pretty prominent engineer-types.

I'm not sure I follow what you're hearing from these engineer-types. The 6-channel discrete out should be just as lossless as the HDMI, with the only difference being that it's being done at the player instead of the processor (after being transcoded to LPCM I'd assume?).

What are they saying the significant difference is?