Best SSP - Upgrade from Integra DTC 9.8

I have been very happy with the Integra in most ways. Went from small TIB with Sony XRB CRT set up to pretty significant investment about 6 months ago.

I am not dealing with analog sound, so I cannot speak to that. As a digital surround unit, the 9.8 with my amp and speakers makes a wonderful sound. The better the recording, the better the sound. SACDs are just wonderful. The video experience has been pretty great as well. And the Audessey has done a marvelous job of upgrading the sound in my room. So I have only recently moved from being very happy to starting to question the component.

Have had some nagging issues with video dropping out that, in fairness, may or may not be caused by the Integra. At this moment I feel it is the problem. Was first related to cable signal. My supplier/installer is wonderful, and they dropped a new 9.8 in. Now I am having similar issue with feed from both PS3 and Denon DVD 3930CI. We are going to try different HDMI cables next week, and also try switching to component, which may work but rubs me wrong. The replacement unit also has the 1.07 firmware as opposed to the 1.08, so we will update that as well.

It is too early to say with certainty that the 9.8 is the problem, but I am trying to understand what the upgrade alternatives look like.

Got a message about Cary and will look at that, but have an open mind. Because of the way my TV is mounted I must feed it via HDMI, and can only run one cable, so there is no alternative but to run it from the processor.

I am looking for excellent sound (HT, SACD, CD) and video (SC and HD).
I did not start the thread due to seeking specific audio or video improvements. Have not had time to get upgrade-itis over this component yet. What prompted the question was the phenomenon of having video drop out while watching either Blu-Ray or DVD sources. So long as I am questioning the unit, I am interested in understanding what the alternatives look (or sound) like.
Whether I make a change now or later, I appreciate the thoughts and insights.

The Integra person my installer is talking to is also suggesting that a longish HDMI cable could be the issue. Have a 50 foot cable. Going to test running a shorter one across the room to the TV to continue to trouble shoot. What are your thoughts on signal boosters? Would hate to have to pull the cable and replace it - painted conduit would likely require that we repaint much or all of the room.

Thanks. I tried running a much shorter cable across the room from the Integra to the TV. I fully expected this to do the trick, but such was not the case. Still had same problem. We are going to try a booster anyway, as well as trying different pre/pros.

I started this thread. Here is what has happened most recently. I went without any Blu Rays for weeks. I decided not to increase my investment and told my installers to bring back my original 9.8 - which had been sent back to have everything fixed and updated. Our plan was to add a booster to fix HDMI problems.
First, the replacement 9.8 now worked without the booster. Then we hooked up my original 9.8. On hooking it up, it displayed "Onkyo" on the screen. Had not done this originally. Issue with switches had not been fixed (they would not switch surrounds from monopole to dipole).
So they ended up bringing me a 9.9, which has worked extremely well ever since. Ran Audyssey using three locations, and need to do again for more locations to get it right, but all seems to be quite satisfactory.