Considering their high end receiver is, what, about $5,000, you have to figure this combo is going to cost more than that... which puts it well into the price range of some of the better mid-high end brands. What are the chances that it'll be good enough to compete?

<img src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/uploads/avp2.jpg">

<a href="http://www.audioholics.com/ces/CESprocessors/DenonSeparates.php">click</a>

Integra is surprisingly good, considering it's basically an Onkyo

I tend to be a sarcastic *******... and sometimes people miss the sarcastic part, and think I'm just an *******.

I could care less about the amp, personally... if the pre/pro is cheap and is any good, I might just jump on it... HDMI 1.3 processor would be quite nice.

but nothing in McIntosh's current line is 10 channel.

now it means jack

and the paint is THX Select

I'm just saying that being THX certified doesn't mean it's any good.

Being THX certified can't hurt...

Sound quality is always subjective.

I can't think of any Ultra II receiver that sucks.
All the ones that I looked at are in the $2000+ range, up there there all pretty good!

What I'm getting at is that there are $2,000+ receivers that aren't THX anything and they're still great.

There are also THX certified computer speakers that cost &lt;$200.

I would put more into a THX receiver, then speakers, or cables.
Most of the THX products are just branded THX &amp; cost more. Where as the receivers have a THX mode, &amp; calibration tools.
SO when you change from DD, or DTS, mine has THX also with some sound modes, that really work.

Yes, anything in that price bracket is going to work really well!

Now my question to you is, do you have or used a Ultra II receiver?
In THX mode, the sound is so much smoother, much more powerful, and has a much bigger sound stage! The speaker totally blend into the room. The calibration tools just ROCK!

But I'm sure any receiver in this price range will sound really good, and perform really well, but might not have that extra that THX brings.

A number of high end processors have similar functionality to the THX modes.

Again, not saying THX itself is horrible... just saying you can get similar results without it.

Also on a ghastly Kenwood receiver about 5 years ago.