Unless I get internal decoding via the magical Panasonic firmware fairy for my BD-30, I'm stuck having to get a pre-pro that'll take bitstream for the HD audio codecs as you know.

That's if I get a new pre-pro at all of course...

Some questions:

1. Are the lipsync issues a big deal if everything (Cable TV, BD, HD DVD, etc...) is HDMI?
2. Is the Audyssey MultEQ a popular feature? I'm wondering if real-world results match AVSforum' small sampling.
3. Where would you put it in on the warm-bright scale? How about compared to Denon?

Anything else you'd like to volunteer would be great.

Thanks

stopped by a local dealer the other night...not surprisingly, none on display. They offered to order it...2-3 delivery. Course that doesn't help me if I want to hear it or audition it with my gear (they don't want it back if I unbox it).

And they wonder why I shop for gear over the internet..... Too bad I can't do that with Integra.

so stay tuned.

Not enough time with it to say a lot, but I saw no lip sync issues with any of my sources.

1. Are the lipsync issues a big deal if everything (Cable TV, BD, HD DVD, etc...) is HDMI?

Not that we've had brought to our attention. And not in the store either. We have HD D*, BluRay and HD-DVD hooked-up to the 9.8. All is good.

2. Is the Audyssey MultEQ a popular feature? I'm wondering if real-world results match AVSforum' small sampling.

It's popular all across the board. Everyone wants it because all the other gear has it or something similar.
It's a good place to start if you aren't an expert. Nothing helps more than getting the right synergy (for want of a better word) amongst your components of course, but it'll get a few critical things right for you. There's so many different ways of getting the best out of tuning. Experimentation with whatever tweaks take your fancy can lead to interesting results.
But just to plug-in and hit start - it does a decent job. None will ever be perfect because our ears don't pick up the information the same way as a microphone does, and how we like our audio to sound varies enormously from person to person.

So if you're not afraid to play with the settings and your room a little you can get to where you want the sound to be better than a $6.00 included microphone.
Best to only use 7.1 if you room can benefit from it.
There's no rule of thumb, just keep changing things until everything snaps into focus for you. I'd suggest using a revealing piece of music without too much going-on and superbly produced.

The latest Lindsey Buckingham solo CD, Beck's 'Sea Change', Radiohead's 'OK Computer', Emmylou Harris' 'Wreckin' Ball' and the track 'Man With The Long Black Coat' from Bob Dylan's 'Oh Mercy' CD are great examples of quality material to use.
Music instead of movies for setting-up because music generally has a lot more dynamic information than movies.

3. Where would you put it in on the warm-bright scale? How about compared to Denon?

Denon of two+ years ago were nice and mellow with some warmth to be enjoyed. Current Denon's sound more like an immasculated Yamaha without the sheen - dull and lifeless with many speakers.

The Integra DTC-9.8 has a very detailed character with quite a neutral overall presentation, but I think the partnering power amp is more likely to have a bigger say in what your speakers are telling you based on how well it drives them.
If your speakers are quite laid-back I'd suggest a Bryston power amp. If your speakers are a little more up front (not necessarily bright) I'd suggest an NAD power amp (nice price too). If you want to tame your speakers a little, have a look at Rotel power amps.

It's okay, but not the last word in value for money. The 9.8 is superb value, but the DTA 9.4 has some very tough competition. If you want it to match you're not going to be disappointed with the results, but when I spending that much money I'll always put matching the sonics before the appearance.
Come to think of it, I don't have two of the same brand in any of my 11 components. It's not deliberate by any means.

1. Ok, sounds good.

2. Understood. I was wondering if you were receiving feedback from your clients good/bad with the results they got on this feature. I have some EQ experience on the Subwoofer side, so I think I understand the concepts and limitations. I'm just curious if it'll be worth the bother. I'm especially concerned that NAD felt the provided stock curves were so poor they included their own in-house developed ones.

I quite enjoy Beck's Sea Change as a demo disc, and have the female voice also well represented.

3. Speakers are NHT, and amps are Outlaw monoblocks for the front stage. The back is powered from my current NAD T763 AVR. I haven't decided what to do for the back yet. I might even replace the front stage amp section altogether.

Which one is the latest?