Widescreen Gaming Forum

Looking to go 7.1 for my gaming PC.

I think I am going to pick up an Onkyo SKS HT540 set.

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=SKS-HT540&class=Speaker&p=s

I am running Win7 with an Xi-Fi Titanium. It is the non-HD version which has the four RCA analog speaker outs for 7.1 surround. I am also going to get the Corsair Vengeance 1500 headphones.

http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-1500-dolby-7-1-usb-gaming-headset.html

I need an analog 7.1 receiver. This is only for PC games and emulated games. Maybe consoles but they are not a big deal ATM. Some games I run can only output stereo dolby encoded signals like Pro Logic II.

Is it possible to get a low cost receiver that
-Runs 7.1 analog speakers through Windows 7
-Converts any Dolby stereo surround into 5.1 or maybe 7.1 with back channel filling?
-Allows me to use Dolby headphone without changing system settings?

Thoughts?

I'm curious about this as well. I had a the Creative gigaworks S750 tell the sub died about 2 years ago. id love to find an amp/ receiver & a sub so I can bring back the power of these speakers. last time i looked to find a decent receiver was over 500 and that was a little more than I wanted to spend. I don't think you will find an affordable receiver that does analog 7.1. the best you will find is 7.1 over HDMI which the xfi does not support.
You might need to ask this over at avs fourms.