Have a look at the SW AZ-EQ6 mount...it's a couple of hundred more than the standard EQ6 but gets belt drives and dual encoders as standard and has the alt-az mode thrown in. I have the NEQ6 and would change in a minute given half a chance, as I much prefer alt-az for visual with an SCT. The mount is the most important thing here and the AZ-EQ6 should take a lot of scope for visual, and some decent kit for AP.
I have the Edge 8" scope (but not the 9.25) and it gives a very flat field and is coma free to the edge. I've just started imaging with mine and bought the reducer for that purpose. It gives a decent image circle for an APS-C sized chip, but full frame you will see vignetting...you need the Edge 9.25 for the larger circle, as you noticed there's no reducer for that model...yet.
For large targets, you would want a short focal length refractor. I've been having a lot of fun with mine recently. Regardless, you will want a guider...I've been only getting short subs without one.
But definitely think about getting a decent mount and then check out the classifieds for scopes to experiment with and get a feel for what you like to image
