I just retired a Denon AVP-8000 preamp and used its internal switching with S-video cables as a convenience. On my EAD preamp I replaced the optical connection with a good coaxial cable and it sounds much better.
Entech (Monster) makes a neat little product (Director AV4.1) for S-video (which can be adapted to component) but I just got the JVC JX-S777. It does S-video and composite matching as well as having component and digital I/O. I wanted something where I could record from Direct TV to TIVO, then to a VCR if I liked the program. Still playing with it.
The audio RCA connection should go to the receiver so it can amplify the sound and do home theater for you. When I tried to connect Direct TV to the TV but run the audio thru the preamp there was a slight but noticeable delay in the audio.
Entech (Monster) makes a neat little product (Director AV4.1) for S-video (which can be adapted to component) but I just got the JVC JX-S777. It does S-video and composite matching as well as having component and digital I/O. I wanted something where I could record from Direct TV to TIVO, then to a VCR if I liked the program. Still playing with it.
The audio RCA connection should go to the receiver so it can amplify the sound and do home theater for you. When I tried to connect Direct TV to the TV but run the audio thru the preamp there was a slight but noticeable delay in the audio.