Charles, there're at least three members who use Emotiva equipment and might have some views, although none have the new DMR-1. You're correct about the significance of processing vs basic amplification: one of the great things about the current audio scene is the quality and quantity of power available to us at modest cost. Basic amplification should in most cases be a non-issue. There're claims about the processing of the DMC-1(said to be the same as that contained in the DMR-1), but it's unclear how much difference this would make in real-world home use. The difference in the units you compare appears to be about $300 at the introductory price.
As to processing, my thoughts are that new units such as the Onkyo 875 or Denon 3808 have much to offer, such as Audyssey MultEQ setup and equalization and the Reon video processor(on the 875)which aren't present on the Emotiva and which you might also consider.
