Surround sound systems...I fucking want one.

[D-Rider]

Like a good son, I plan on getting my father a Christmas gift.  Specifically, I want to upgrade his surround sound system from a tinny ten-year-old 350 watt piece of shit to a mighty wall of sound that would shame the choirs of Valhalla.  But, as you might have guessed from every other technological purchase thread I've made in this section of the boards, I don't know shit about them.

I'm willing to spend around $500 on one, but I can be tempted to go higher if the price is worth it.  Make with teh recommendations, yo. :P