I am looking to scrap my home-cinema-in-a-box system and go for seperates but quickly realised that it is very expensive!!!!

I can't seem to find a decent amp that has audio over HDMI for £250

I also need 5.1 surround speakers for around £50-£80.

I will be running a HD-DVD player, XBox 360 (normally upstairs but bring it down when the wife is not in ), and eventually SKY HD.

Can anyone offer me any advice?

Not strictly a separates system, but it does do audio over HDMI. Look at the Sony HTSF1300 for about £280 including speakers.

Sony STRDG820 £250 plus Yamaha NSP110 £50

Both can be bought from richer Sounds.

I have had a quick look at the products suggested and both options look good but i would prefer the smaller speakers so I am leaning towards the 820 and the nsp110 option.

I have noticed that the Sony 820 appears to have a phono socket for the Sub...will the yamaha sub work with it or will I have to alter the cable?

Ive got those speakers. They are pretty good. Especially at that price now. They are not that big really. Quite slim too.

the 820 for me

skimminstones, Is the yamaha sub connected via a phono socket or just the normal speaker wire??

phono socket. The cables that come with it are not very good so i bought some slightly better stuff. Was around £2 as metre i think and a subwoofer cable for £5 i think it was. Made a massive difference in the quality.

Thanks to all, i think it looks like the sony 820 with the yamaha speakers are the winner.

skimminstones, where did you buy your speaker wire from...have you got a link you could add on here?