Onkyo TX-SR508 to RM6750

Jamesy
Jamesy Posts: 1
Id first like to introduce myself. Ive been building PC's for ten years, have always been a fan of gaming, and have just recently got into the Hi-Def audio and video in a big way: i built the ultimate HTPC, set up a dual monitor system, and have only missed out on one thing...audio. I plan on fixing that today. I recently purchased a modest Onkyo TX-SR508 and the Polk RM6750 speaker set to which i will add two additional speakers in a month or so. While all of this equipment is by no means awesome, its a big step up from the average pc sleaker setup ive been using. Ive experimented with professional setups before (ive installed home theatre systems for friends, family, amd customers) and know the ins and outs of virtually every connector that exists in the consumer electronics industry. My problem:

I know virtually nothing about receiver settings, and as the only receivers ive handled are those with a single sub out, and were low-budget-enough not to have all the wonderful options that are on the Onkyo receiver that arrived today, i need to know what the best way to hook up my speakers and sub to the receiver is. The Polk speaker documentation gives multiple options, but they're not clear on the pros and cons of each setup method, and i have no clue which category i fall into.

I have all the speaker wire, cables, and time in the world, so ease of use, and price are two terms not in my vocabulary. I want these speakers to shine.

So, to summarize:
1) Which methods for connecting the sub are available to me and my receiver, and what are the pros and cons? Does one offer superior quality? Superior flexibility? Superior control?

And

2) What settings should i use now on the receiver and how should i configure it for 5.1 use? My audio source will be a HTPC with optical as well as a gaming pc with optical out. I have ASUS Xonar DS sound cards in both systems.

3) Lastly and least important: are there any important thigs to remember when upgrading this to a 7.1 system?

Any additional information will be helpful. The documentation that comes with the speakers is at best scant, and at worst non-existant.
Post edited by Jamesy on