Good Processor

1. Few (but some) old receivers will redigitize the 5.1 analog but that is not optimum. If you want it to process digital (RC, Bass management, etc.), feed it digital
2. Oppos do not do room correction.
3. Meridian does RC below 300Hz which is where you really need it.
4. It is not standard but the Meridian 861s can be configured with a 5.1 RCA analog input.
5. IMHO, the Meridian sound is surprisingly analog and liquid.

I'm thinking the integra 80.3 is the way to go for me. Suggestions for 5 channel amp? Will be driving Merlin TSM for L,C,R and sonance in ceiling for surrounds.

If stereo is very important, going with an AVP can be very limiting in terms of viable options as you well know. And it may also be more expensive relative to using a quality stereo pre for the front L/R speakers and a decent AVP for surround processing and channels. Then again if surround processing and quality of those signals are just as important as stereo (or you're space constrained) I guess it could be worth the additional expense and limited choices for a good AVP. Just in case you hadn't considered the possibility of using a stereo pre in your setup. Best of luck.

I am totally pleased with my NAD T175HD pre/pro for HT, multichannel music, and 2-channel music. It really does do all three very well, IMO.

Bill

I use the Onkyo PR-SC5509 ( same as Integra 80.3) with Audessey pro ( we sell this) with Pass labs X250.5 ( other channels Primare Poweramp) and the results are stunning. It is extreemly holographic. I owned the Meridian 800DAXV4 and sold Meridian as well. The problem is that old technique is bettered by new technique. Meridian can play 3d, but it is not his strongest property. Integra has depth like the better highend has. Marantz, Denon, NAD, Cambridge are all 2 dimensional products. This means that there is almost no depth image. 2 dimensional audio I call STANDARD AUDIO. Integra uses new 32 bit burr brown dacs. And the video section is 12 bit and very nice. I would never go for old technique. Surround without professional roomcorrection is always asking for problems and acoustic flaws. With Audessey pro yo become a very balanced sound. A few years ago I owned the Pass XA100.5 and XP20. Now I have a better focussed image. in recordings voices are better separated than with the XP-20. I never heard surround this good.