As you know, home theater SOTA is HDMI 1.3, 1080p and 5 or 7.1 using one of the lossless formats on bluray discs - as well as Audyssey MultiEQ.
The standards look like they will hold for a few years - if only because the software industry (ie the studios) have not even begun to take advantage of what is already possible and are unlikely to invest in supporting even newer standards in the near future. (For context, there is still considerable debate about consumer bluray adoption versus DVDs. And you can't even find a deep color title)
There is no doubt that the 9.8/9.9, and the equivalent units from Marantz and Denon are the "game changers" in HT right now. They are the kinds of highly complex, feature rich units that the Japanese have always led the world at building. I know they are fighting words but its hard to imagine that your short list can even come close at this point in time.
BTW Audyssey is a third party program sold to OEMs. It will continue to evolve by adding new features since that is the core of its business model. However what is already there is very, very good. Don't believe me, read Stereophile.
The Audyssey is a breakthrough feature you want.
Hey, you hate it you can always turn it off and tune the room using the 15 band EQ times 7 channels that's also built in. Or better yet, have a specialist come in and do the Pro setup (sort of ISF for your sound)
I have an Integra 9.8, and I use it as you plan to. I couldn't be more pleased. It replaced a B&K and the difference is profound - not just in the sound but especially in the GUI and the resulting ease of use. I strongly suggest that you download the user manuals and carefully look at how these units work - by virtue of their flexibility they are necessarily complex so ease of use is a very significant consideration.
The video using HDMI to a Pioneer from 4 different sources is absolutely pristine. Unless you are using legacy sources (VHS or laser disc) you are not going to use the built-in video processing. You don't need it for the BluRay or DirectTV. The Oppo is so good you will want to do the DVD upscaling there.
Sometime soon the new Oppo BD will be out with all the audio formats as well - another game changer.
Personally I would focus my search there.