Processor upgrade from Integra 9.8?

Both the 5508 and 80.3 will get you superior audio compared with the 9.8 as well as permit 3D passthrough, although that will not be required with the dual HDMI outputs from the Oppo. However, you might consider the BDP-93 since the only major distinction between the 93 and 95 is the latter's superior analog outputs. You would be best off using the HDMI with any of the three mentioned prepros (including the 9.8) anyway.

There is nothing else I would recommend under $5k.

Kal

Certainly,it is not my place to tell you how to spend your money; however, looking at the components in your system, I would consider moving up the chain to the Denon processor ($4400), Class 800, Anthem D2 and others. Any of those units will provide you with the same level of quality as you already have. I am surprised your other components did not jump the integra/onkyo and tell it to scram, it was in the wrong neighborhood.

Thanks Kal. I've already got the BDP-95 installed. I've also already got 2-channel more than covered.

The only issue is the Audyssey processing difference between the Integra 9.8(MultEQ XT) and the 80.2 or 80.3(MultEQ XT32). I have never directly compared this, so don't have any idea. Is it night and day? Subtle? I really can't see how this difference alone could be worth $2600 to me(less whatever I could get for the 9.8). Please enlighten me? Thanks.

Hard to say what it will do for you but I think the overall sound of the 80.2 plus that of XT32 make it a significant improvement for me. The only way to know is to compare them. I have published my observations.

Kal

Mig007 - there was some muffled muttering early on, but that soon subsided. :-)

I appreciate your comment and that was my original thinking as well. However, the Integra is pretty well holding its own, with the addition of the Oppo's video. The problem is there is no place to compare the products you mentioned and no one I have been able to find who has sufficient knowledge of both my current system and these processors to be able to tell which would integrate the best.

In addition, since I already have 2-channel covered and only really watch movies in the winters, a processor's "usage factor" is not very high in my system right now. I suppose if I were to hear a processor that simply blew me away I would be interested, but for anything short of that I'll probably be OK as I am for now. I'm not sure about 4K, but we're not there yet...