[RKDinOKC]

I have a Sony Receiver that runs my surround audio. No cable noise that I can hear.

My speaker cables are that clear 2 wire power cord stuff. That way I can make them exactly the length I need. Sounds great to me. My rear speaker cables run up inside the wall (along with power and network wires) and then across the attic.

As for components. They are all media servers, or cable box, etc. so HDMI connects all that.
My DVD, Tape Decks, and Turntable are all boxed up and in the attic. Went to convenience over hifi, and yes there is a difference in all this digital stuff. But then again my ears aren't as good as they used to be either. Besides most content is being created digitally now days so just don't need the hi end hifi to reproduce content as good as it is made or distributed in the first place.