Budget AV system - optical digital audio question

[AlCapwn]

I have a now relatively old Sony TV - which I think is about 32". The picture quality is good enough, nice blacks, handles SD and HD well. The backlight is a bit weak and patchy, but I am still happy with it. I have however developed increasingly audiophile tendencies and am looking to improve the audio quality of the tv.

I have always used built in sound until this point, and am a bit of a beginner.

I have been looking at getting a cambridge audio plinth, as the plinth design suits the space I have and it is a brand that I consider to be good quality. I see it as a good investment, as i'm sure it'll be a significant improvement of the built in sound of a newer, thin panel if i ever upgrade.

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/minx-tv

Everything plugged into my tv at the moment is connected via HDMI, apart from my wii which uses component cables. I have no experience at all of using optical digital output and need some guidance.

I was wondering how simple it would be to get this one device to be the sound source for all of my devices. For some reason I have found it slightly difficult to google an easy answer.

The devices are:

- Xbox 360 (newer model with HDMI, not elite)

- Virgin Tivo Box

- PS3

- Nintendo Wii (component)

 

[AlCapwn]

the other similar system i have considered is this:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/maxell-mxsp-sb3000_Surround-Sound-System_review

Going for a fulll surround system is not really an option in my flat.