What processor?

I am sure that the Halcro will work fine.

Suggest you look at the Panasonic 30,35,50 and 55 or the Sony S550 for bang for the buck.

Haven't heard the Marantz but they have had an excellent rep for a long time. Looking at the spec sheet the main difference seems to be that the Marantz has an Anchor Bay video processor which is newer then the Reon in the Integra.

FWIW Oppo's highly acclaimed 583 also uses Anchor Bay technology. However as I have discussed elsewhere, unless you have legacy sources like a nonupsampling DVD, a VHS deck or a Laser Disc player you will probably never use the technology.

Other then that, I suspect that the Integra and the Marantz are probably close enough in performance and features that price is a reasonable deciding factor. Put another way its not at all clear to me what makes it worth twice as much as a 9.8

IMHO you would be better served to invest the difference in HDMI sources.

Integra had Audyssey MultEQ XT with the option of using the AudysseyPro software.

Marantz has the less potent MultEQ.

Kal

Looks like it will be integra 9.8 then. Got to source a 240v version online as integra is not available where I come from. Thks for the feedbacks thus far. Happy listening

Looks like it will be integra 9.8 then. Got to source a 240v version online as integra is not available where I come from.
Ckorody, definitely considering panasonic bd55. Waiting for it to crawl to Malaysia. We are at least 6-9months behind in selling such stuffs.
Thks for the feedbacks thus far. Happy listening

A bit more background on KR4s point -

AudysseyPro software can only be accessed and implemented by a certified Audyssey installer - think of it as an ISF calibration for your sound. Supposedly adds considerably to what one can accomplish with the built in device since it uses a better mike, takes more readings etc. But it is not inexpensive - I think about $350-450. Hope to do it someday just to see. I suspect it will be a long, long time until one of these guys get to Malaysia LOL

To KR4s point, not all Audyssey equipped devices are Pro capable.

This is because Audyssey is a third party technology that is licensed to the OEMs (original equipment manufacturer like Integra). Some buy more of the technology and pay a higher license fee per unit, some buy less. Depends on whether the OEM's strategy is to compete on bells and whistles or on price.

ALSO looking ahead - and sorry this is not the case with the 9.8 - some of the manufacturers are designed their gear so one can upgrade the Audyssey feature set as new capabilities are introduced.