The last thing I would ever do is let the TV do any audio processing. Either us the toslink/coax outputs into your mac or buy that pioneer and use 5.1 or 7.1 outputs to the mac. Using a digital cable will cut down on the number of interconnects needed and help avoid a mess. Everything should have digital outputs (except new Apple Play) which can all go into the Mac.
Audio output for a non-HDMI pre-amp
I have a McIntosh MX 135 A/V pre-amp which has balanced outputs for 7.1 and has component instead of HDMI inputs. Not wanting to upgrade to the latest McIntosh HDMI capable unit (very expensive), I was thinking of having the HDMI sources (blue ray player, cable TV, Apple TV) directly plug into the TV and using the optical audio out from the TV to supply the audio to the McIntosh which in turn would supply my 7.1 system.
Alternatively, I noticed that the blue ray player I am interested in, the Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 has several audio output options including 1) analog audio out via traditional RCA jacks, 2) coaxial digital audio out and 3) toslink digital audio out. Would I get better sound, from the blue ray player, if I output the audio signal directly from the player to the McIntosh and if so, which audio out option would work best.
The McIntosh has these specs: DTS ES & Neo:6,
Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Prologic II
Alternatively, I noticed that the blue ray player I am interested in, the Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 has several audio output options including 1) analog audio out via traditional RCA jacks, 2) coaxial digital audio out and 3) toslink digital audio out. Would I get better sound, from the blue ray player, if I output the audio signal directly from the player to the McIntosh and if so, which audio out option would work best.
The McIntosh has these specs: DTS ES & Neo:6,
Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Prologic II