That’s only a few sleeps before we get all touchy-feely, up close and personal with the elite level Integra DRC-R1.1 Processor, and the DRX-R1.1 AV Receiver.

Both will be well worth the wait coming from what’s unarguably one of the world’s finest, Japanese audio-video legacy brands.

The new models replace the two previous models that have the same model number. The addition of the model designation .1 signals new, updated versions of what went before them in Integra’s well-stocked range.

So why are we so excited? Well, flagship models from Integra are their finest, and the new pair won’t disappoint on this score.

Both are 11.2 channel beauties. What’s more, the DRC-R1.1 processor has XLR as well as RCA output connections.

The DRX-R1.1 receiver is no slouch either. It can generate an awesome 140-watts per channel into an 8ohm speaker load.

The pair is THX certified, support Dolby Atmos and DTS: X with up to 7.2.4 channels. The duo offers multi-zone processing and has built-in Chromecast with Google Assistant voice control and DTS Play-Fi music streaming in multiple rooms.

Connections abound, and this isn’t an exaggeration.

Both also support 4K HDBaseT, a feature that allows the transfer of 4K content delivered with a high dynamic range (HDR-10 and Dolby Vision) at 60 frames per second with a 4:4:4 colour to 100 metres distance using Cat 5/6/7 LAN cables. Great for multi-room applications.

Given the looming HDR war, support for HDR10, Dolby vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma, would have cost Integra a bundle in licensing fees, but the money ponied up covers the important HDR bases.

As for the connections alluded to earlier, there is a horde of them: including 8 HDMI inputs (one handily on the front fascia), main-out and sub/Zone 2 output with support for HDCP 2.2.

Also supported are 4K/60Hz, wide color gamut, extended color (sYCC601, Adobe RGB, Adobe YYC601) and BT.2020 video throughput.

The new processor is built to audiophile-grade standards. A clue is the copper rather than cheaper steel screws used to lock down the modular circuit blocks that are installed on a twin-walled insulated frame.

The chassis is heavy and rigid with lots of extra internal bracing to combat spurious resonances. This model is also equipped with three-wire bit DSPs and get this, gilded XLR pre-outs for all channels.

You also get separate independent differential DA-converters for stereo (384 kHz / 32-bit AK4490) and surround (768 kHz / 32-bit AK4458) as well as a separate DA converter for Zone 2 (HDMI in 1-5, SPDIF / PCM, Net and USB) and Zone 3 (Net and USB). Advanced control functions for home automation include bidirectional IP and RS-232 ports, two IR inputs (one output) and three programmable 12-volt trigger outputs with adjustable delay.

The DRX-R1.1, a THX Select-certified AV Receiver, gets the same 4K image processing, multichannel audio processing, and the same audiophile design as the DRC-R1.1 with the addition of a high current amplifier used at 140 watts per channel (8 ohms with 0.08% THD).

As we said, these models are top line, and lucky buyers can expect flagship audio-video performance.

Both models will be available late March 2018. The DRC-R1.1 AV Processor will sell for $4,895 RRP, and the DRX-R1.1 AV Receiver will sell for $5,295 RRP.