Need A great Processor

Are you kidding? The Emotiva has weird bass management and EQ. These are complex devices and the "problems" with those the OP lists are minor in comparison. The Emotiva's major feature is low price.

Kal

In the mid-highend($5-$10,000) I would pick Classe SSP 800 in first place for a 50/50(music/movies)setup and the Anthem D2v for people who listen to mostly use it for movies(70/30).But since you are using PMC you may want to look for Brystons new SSP but I am not sure when they are releasing it and it will be up there($$$$10,000) without video.I use a Krell HTS 7.1 and a Marantz UD9004 and run video to TV and rca audio to Krell.This way is a much cheaper way of doing things and works great.

Check around for a used Arcam AV-8 or AV-9. The difference is the AV-9 has HDMI switching. Great for both music and movies.

Hi-I got to audition the SSP-800 a couple of weeks back and the sound quality was spectacular.

I am down to a final decision (seperate pre/amp, prono preamp and turntable) or just get my HT rig current (I am using the original NAD M15). If it goes the way of pre/pro there is no doubt that it will be the Classe SSP-800.

I have an Anthem D2v and I like that fact that they are upgradeable to point where a lot of others aren't. But it depends on your budget. Marantz's AV7005 at 1200.00 is quite a bargain, from what I have seen at the dealers showroom. As far as music I am not thrilled with the Anthem, I use a seperate 2 channel pre-amp with unity gain for all 2 channel listening.