Best SSP - Upgrade from Integra DTC 9.8

Kr4, thank you for the response
Elevick, I totally appreciate where you are coming from, and I too have owned some very excellent AV pre's over the years, sans any EQ and/or processing. I've had the krell 5.1, Macintosh MX130, Mac3, Aragon Soundstage, Upgraded Acurus Act3, and others (I've used/sold many others, including Meridian, Cal Audio Labs, Theta, etc). What intrigues me thought, as an acoutical guy, is the HUGE sonic benefits offered by these newer DSP teqnologies!
Yes, parmateric EQ's can help with issues you could only fix with lots of acoustical treatments, in many smaller rooms. And yet they can only do so much compared to what something like the Audyssey is bringing to the table from my findings! - it makes that much of a difference, as to say it might be a bigger improvement in the sound than, well, quality electronics themselves!!!
So, you put together otherwise funamentally quality hi-end gear with that kind of acoutical advantage (built in), and you have the potential for some mind blowing sound, I believe!
Kr4, thanks for the update (haven't looked on audyssey's website for listings of what's out there recently). I'll loook into the Sim and Wisdom stuff.

Guybguy - regarding video dropouts with the Integra...

I recently put an Integra 9.8 into a system that had been working fine for over a year. I also experienced video dropouts. It took a while, but after I upgraded my 8meter HDMI cable ($400), the video problem was resolved. Not happy about that upgrade, but it is a longish run.

I have concluded that the integra 9.8 requires high quality HDMI cables.

Anyone compair the 9.8 to the older Integra Research RDC-7?

Um that Sim AV processor looks quite interesting - although a bit more money than the Integra range, for sure.
Sim has always made some pretty nice sounding stuff, if much better than mass-marketed mid-fi, like Rotel.
Would like to see some reviews on the newer Sim's, myself. Otherwise, I might go find one locally, either way, and see what I come up with.
As for the Wisdom Audio SC-1 (er whatever), I can't make out exactly what that is from a quick glance at their site.

The Integra person my installer is talking to is also suggesting that a longish HDMI cable could be the issue. Have a 50 foot cable. Going to test running a shorter one across the room to the TV to continue to trouble shoot. What are your thoughts on signal boosters? Would hate to have to pull the cable and replace it - painted conduit would likely require that we repaint much or all of the room.