Recommended 5.1 processor + amp under 10k

Decided to go with NAD separates, bought demo units at a dealer and spend some good money upgrading the cabling system.

Have put the KAV250a and KAV250a/3 up for sale

Onkyo PR-SC5509 without a doubt, the modular chassis beats the Integra counterpart, also for modern features beats anything else. I use it with a Classe CP-700 on the fronts, the 2-channel balanced Marantz UD9004 feeding straight to the CP700, and the 7.1 single ended King Cobras in bypass through the Onkyo, decoded superlatively again in the UD9004. The beauty of the CP700 is that it allows passive biamping of fronts on my PR Signature 8 v2 system, for which the two monoblock construction Sherbourn 5/1500A amps do well. Of course these amps are the weak point, looking to to get Classe 100lb monoblocks for the stereo, but OMFG, I will need speaker switchers, so keeping it simple for now. The CP700 breathes life in all sources as it operates in passive line level mode when the PR-SC5509 is on, further widening and claryfying the front stage in that neutral Classe way that is so great.

I would try out all the ones with room correction software and EQ and buy the one that sounds best.

For example, Audyssey XT32 + dual Sub EQ + Dynamic EQ.

Or Anthem ARC or Trinnov, etc.

I would not buy anything that does not have some kind of advanced EQ. You never know when you need it.

I've been through comparing Direct/Bypass vs. EQ, and EQ won.

Ya see how "down-grade-able" HT is?!!! This thread started out discussing BEST sound under $10,000. ..THE MAN ENDED UP SPENDING THOUSANDS LESS ON N. A. D.!!!! -enough said!

All anyone really needs for home theater is clear, detailed, dynamic sound from a processor and amp with enough power to adequately driver the sensitivity and efficiency of your loud speakers you chose! ..All that "air" and "soundstaging" and last ounce of refinement of midrange, and all, can be left to the audiophile 2 channel tweakers!
No, really, ..coulda opted for JVC receiver and whatever 5 channel amp floats your speakers for a baragin off craigslist! Let's be honest. lol :-)

Another path to consider is integrating HT sound with the music system. I use an Oppo BDP-105 as the source for Blu-ray and DirecTV HD-DVR. Analog stereo from the Oppo goes through a Parasound JC-2 preamp to Proceed HPA amps that drive a pair of KEF Reference 107/2s. Surround from the Oppo goes directly the HPA amps that drive KEF Reference 102s. SW goes to a pair of Velodyne SMS-1s that manage a pair of HGS-15s. For stereo music the JC-2 is switched from the Oppo to an Ayre C-5xeMP or JC-3 phono stage. The SMS-1s provide acoustic room correction for the critical LFs.

db