Sadly I don't think anyone is all that surprised by the results.
As to software, something that is becoming clearer is the way a lot of the system is built by welding together disparate bits of signal processing chain sourced from different vendors. This is something that the big name brands and the niche players all seem to suffer from, and how well they manage the problem mostly comes down to the resources they can throw at the problem. Monoprice probably have significantly deeper pockets than Emotiva, and they outsourced the development of their HTP.
The barriers to entry into this market just seem to get higher all the time. Market expectations are for an ever increasing set of DSP features, all requiring licensing from their respective vendors, and then integrating into a product. This works in favour of the big name brands, who are driving the market in the disposable, compulsory upgrade path they once only dreamed of.
The right answer for the HT enthusiast would be to create an ecosystem where it was possible to built a system with Lego block components. Not be forced to buy a massive all in one processor. It is at least possible to contemplate removing any video switching from an audio processor. (I currently feed an aging, but very competent 7.1 receiver from an HDFury Diva. The reciever sees no video signal at all.) What one really wants then is a 16 channel HDCP enabled DAC unit, with a single HDMI input. Then one should be able to purchase an HDMI audio decoder, HDMI in, HDMI out. Encoded (Dolby, DTS, etc) in, PCM, HDCP protected out. Connect the two and you are good to go. Want Dirac? Buy a Dirac box. Audessy? Same deal. And so on. Only want 7.1? Buy an 8 channel HDMI DAC. Upgrade with a second one when you want to go Atmos. Of course the big brand reciver vendors are actively working to stop this. And they wield significant power. MiniDSP have a Dirac box, and a DAC that fits the idea, but there is no decoder box that can be bought. One suspects that Dolby and DTS are sufficiently beholden to their major customers to not want to consider licensing to a vendor of a stand-alone decoder.
But the niche players could, maybe, work together to open things up. That would be worth pursuing. No more massive expensive one box processors, but a stack of mix and match units. Scope for specialisation. And much happier customers. (I'll write you a UI.)