....Thank you Peterst,
 for your paid attention to my questions.
To answer your MAIN question, the answer is..YES..you have answered.. MY MAIN.. question.
Will xxHighEnd improve my overall sound? ..YES..
I listed my equipment, as you asked. I would have sent you.. SPECS..on each, if there was room.
My system will be ...fully digital...so no need for a DAC. Yes, I am using a 7.1 Receiver, into Digital Speakers.
The only remaining question, I think, concerns the Sound Card.
Would a plug-in Card be useful for HD Movies and Music?
My Stuff: HP dv6t-2150us 3i Dual Core processor,4GB,320
              ONYKO HTS-9100THX

    Many Thanks,

          NYC

Thanks for the reply!
Yes, I agree. If I were to build an Audiophile quality, 7.1 Theater system,
it is best to start with a PC, for many reasons.  (Power/Video Cards etc.)
I will keep that a separate project.
But now I have the Laptop, and I'm looking to "Max Out" of it what I can.
If I install the xxHighEnd program and run it through the 7.1 system
will it play 7.1, even though, neither my Laptop nor the xxHighEnd, are 7.1?
Would you advise a 24/92 sound card for the laptop?...a plug-in?
Any suggestions!
Or is pretty much what I have, "all the milk I'm getting from this cow"?
   Thanks for the help,

        NYC

  Hi,
   I'm a novice, so forgive me for asking this question, if the answer is obvious.
I'm building a computer based surround system, for Home Theater.
It will be digital from start to finish and kinda on the low budget side.
My laptop is the HP dv6t 2150-us, with no added sound card.
I'm looking at the Onkyo HT-S9100THX, home theater in a box.
This will get me up and running.
Can I use the xxHighEnd software?
Any design ideas or guidance are welcome.
Advice/Suggestions too!