Recommended 5.1 processor + amp under 10k

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

Thanks for the recommendations, except for the snide comments from Avgoround who trolls just this section of the forum. Mind you I am deploying decent cabling such as High Fidelity Cables and isolation like Stillpoints Ultra SS resulting in, IME, a much better value proposition.

The NAD T-187 sounds pretty good with the KAV250a and KAV250a/3, decoding everything blissfully well and the change before and after room correction is very noticeable. I am still evaluating multi channel amps.

I have 3 systems of which the HT system is mostly just for movies so have spent most in the 2 channel system. If I could merge the music and HT, I would certainly do. Maybe when I move and build a dedicated music room.