Total Noob Question...Can a HTPC replace my receiver?

I am a little confused. I assume your title is correct and you mean that you don't have room for a computer and a receiver. The answer, at least as far as I know, is no. The computer will be another set of audio and video inputs to your receiver. You could potentially remove your receiver and route everything straight into your tv if it has enough inputs and you are using the tv speakers. If you are using the receiver to amplify audio for a speaker system (which I would think is the case) then you cannot really get rid of the receiver unless you have another source of amplification.

I had asked a similar question making a comment in a different thread but didn't expect an answer as it was just kind of put there and was a little OT.

However. I do have an external 5 channel Amp. I don't use my receiver for anything but passing audio through it's pre outs to that amp.

Would I be able use a HTPC and do away with the receiver altogether? When last I checked my regular PC had mini plugs (Green/Yellow/Black).. For Front, center/sub, and surround.

How would I go about getting that split into the 5 (rca type) for the surround AMP and 1 more for the subwoofer? And is the line level out of a PC good enough to provide a good amp with an adequately clean signal?

direct amplification is a lot of trouble... what you need is a volume control for 6 analog channels and only then you can feed the pc directly into a power amp

and bear in mind that this way you won't have any dolby/dts decoding of external boxes like stb's, sat/cable receivers, dvd players etc.

Is it possible, yes. I remember one time seeing an product an a HTPC that had the amp built into it, which allowed speakers to be connected directly to the amp. It was limited to 5.1 audio only. I don't recall it being very poweful amps either. Plus, I would assume the amps are going to generate heat, and you'll need to get the hot air out of the case, which means either more fans or powerful fans, which leads to more noise. Some people find fan noise to ruin their watching experience.

I'm not sure on your setup. Sounds like you use your receiver as a preamp, which means it is processing the audio signal from your various sources, which then tells the amps what to send to the speakers. My guess, your setup will not allow for you take out the receiver.

what you may want to consider is buying/building a HTPC with a very small footprint such as the Mac Mini, Dell Zino HD, and so forth.

No!
Two different products, not the same at all.
An AVR is a hub for all your electronic equipment while a PC is, well a PC, just another source as far as your AVR is concerned, akin to a DVD player or Cable Box.
You can get away with not using an AVR, but a PC cannot act as a audio hub.
What is your application? What devices do you have in your entertainment center?

Are you looking for something like this, with an add-in audio amp card:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...003579&page=51

The original poster may be looking for something like that..

I'm just looking for a way to feed my Amp with 5 channels and my powered sub with it's own channel from my PC.

I just cut my cable cord so I have no STB to worry about.

I think this is what jshoorl is doing http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1109024 I just skimmed thru it so I apologize if I'm wrong.