Options for 4k with 1.3 receiver

[pewternhrata]

Integra dtr 7.8 is version 1.3, I know most will say to just get a new receiver.
I can run HDMI straight to the tv, but I'm limited with audio at that point (optical out). I can run HDMI through the receiver but then I'm limited on video.
Aside from buying a new receiver, what options do I have to utilize 4k and audio at this point?
Could I use a HDMI switch with a splitter on the out? (one to tv, the other to receiver)
Or if I found a good deal on a preamp, could I use the Integra as an amp?
Other ideas?

 

[TheWarrior]

Integra dtr 7.8 is version 1.3, I know most will say to just get a new receiver.
I can run HDMI straight to the tv, but I'm limited with audio at that point (optical out). I can run HDMI through the receiver but then I'm limited on video.
Aside from buying a new receiver, what options do I have to utilize 4k and audio at this point?
Could I use a HDMI switch with a splitter on the out? (one to tv, the other to receiver)
Or if I found a good deal on a preamp, could I use the Integra as an amp?
Other ideas?

Sorry to say but no part your system is 4K compatible.

It is possible to use a 4K disc player with HDMI 1.4 or higher connected to a 4K display, but using optical for audio will limit you to Dolby Digital or similar play back as DTS Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD require HDMI

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Or if I found a good deal on a preamp, could I use the Integra as an amp?

Don't know if this is would be much consolation, but yeah, your AVR has multichannel inputs so if you get say OPPO BD205 player, you could decode it on the oppo and let integra amplify the sound
I didn't said pre-amp since saying "4k pre-amp and "cheap" in same sentence is an oxymoron.
I think you have some HTPC or media client in mind, not specific to UHD BD and this case it would just cheaper for you to buy new AVR. sorry
https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X3300W-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B01HL8KYAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500374390&sr=8-1&keywords=denon+x3300
Now this is great deal and if you'd want so, you could use the Denon as a "pre-amp"

 

[pewternhrata]

I can get a hold of an emotiva mc700, so let's say I do go that route as an example. I would connect the 7.1 out of emotiva to 7.1 in on the Integra. What type of settings would I be looking for? Would the emotiva or Integra control the volume?
As I continue to slowly upgrade I wouldn't mind going separates, just something I've always looked at doing.

 

[panteragstk]

I have the same issue. My Onkyo 809 has hdmi 1.4a, but doesn't accept any sort of 4k signal. I've considered an HDMI splitter, but one that will work properly is around $180. I'd rather put that toward a new receiver (A4L has great deals) but then I would have a practically useless receiver with no issues at all.

Very annoying. I feel your pain.

EDIT: I see that you were considering going with one of the Emotiva Basx MC-700.

While that may sound like a great idea you are buying a pre/pro that has pretty much the exact same features as your current AVR with the exception of 4k/hdr pass-through. You are better off getting an hdmi splitter than can handle two edids and route the sound and video properly.

If you were to get a pre/pro I'd at least get one that supports Atmos and DTS-X regardless of your speaker layout. Then it'd be a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[TheWarrior]

I can get a hold of an emotiva mc700, so let's say I do go that route as an example. I would connect the 7.1 out of emotiva to 7.1 in on the Integra. What type of settings would I be looking for? Would the emotiva or Integra control the volume?
As I continue to slowly upgrade I wouldn't mind going separates, just something I've always looked at doing.

The Integra won't be able to function as an amp. You'll be sending it TrueHD or Master Audio that it can't decode. But you still have the problem of a DVD player and possibly a display that can't accept a 4K signal. Ideally, you need a BIG display or a projector to really benefit from 4K, so don't consider it too much of a loss if you can't!

Separates are only useful when your speakers demand a lot of power, and are able to benefit from the nuanced advantages of keeping processing separate from amplification.

 

[pewternhrata]

The Integra won't be able to function as an amp. You'll be sending it TrueHD or Master Audio that it can't decode. But you still have the problem of a DVD player and possibly a display that can't accept a 4K signal. Ideally, you need a BIG display or a projector to really benefit from 4K, so don't consider it too much of a loss if you can't!

Separates are only useful when your speakers demand a lot of power, and are able to benefit from the nuanced advantages of keeping processing separate from amplification.

With Integra as an amp, why would the Integra need to decode? Wouldn't the preamp already have done that? I feel as though I'm missing something

 

[panteragstk]

With Integra as an amp, why would the Integra need to decode? Wouldn't the preamp already have done that? I feel as though I'm missing something

You aren't. You could use it as an amp, but you'd be buying a $600 unit with the exact same decoding functionality you have minus the room correction. You'd literally be paying to step back.

 

[pewternhrata]

I get where your going, to an extent, now I'm in the learning cycle.
My confusion now is
The emotiva says room correction
Although the Integra can decode same formats, some are unavailable through optical, correct?
Example, Amazon fire, since Integra does not pass 4k, for video reasons I would go straight to tv, leaving me an optical connection from Amazon for audio. So even though the Integra can decode formats, i can't because I'm not passing HDMI audio, or 5.1, 7.1 analogue.
Short term hack would be to get 2 HDMI splitters? Run one off the back of Amazon & Xbox one s

 

[Pogre]

I think it'd be a lot easier to just upgrade to a modern receiver and use it for all of your switching/decoding. Get one with a full set of preouts if you want to add an amp later. Right now's a good time to be shopping for Denon...

 

[TheWarrior]

With Integra as an amp, why would the Integra need to decode? Wouldn't the preamp already have done that? I feel as though I'm missing something

How would the Integra know to only pass an incoming signal straight to it's amp?

 

[TheWarrior]

You aren't. You could use it as an amp, but you'd be buying a $600 unit with the exact same decoding functionality you have minus the room correction. You'd literally be paying to step back.

How?

 

[panteragstk]

How?

The integra decodes all the HD formats that are the current object based formats. The MC-700 has the exact same decoding capability. The ONLY difference I can see is that the MC-700 will pass through 4k HDR since it has HDMI 2.0 and the integra is limited to HDMI 1.3.

The MC-700 doesn't have any room correction that I can see so I would say it is a step back in a way. If I were going to upgrade a receiver like the one he currently has (which I am since I'm in the same boat) I'd want to get something of an upgrade (object based decoding). This is of course my opinion, but $600 is a lot to spend to solve a problem that can be solved much cheaper.

 

[TheWarrior]

The integra decodes all the HD formats that are the current object based formats. The MC-700 has the exact same decoding capability. The ONLY difference I can see is that the MC-700 will pass through 4k HDR since it has HDMI 2.0 and the integra is limited to HDMI 1.3.

The MC-700 doesn't have any room correction that I can see so I would say it is a step back in a way. If I were going to upgrade a receiver like the one he currently has (which I am since I'm in the same boat) I'd want to get something of an upgrade (object based decoding). This is of course my opinion, but $600 is a lot to spend to solve a problem that can be solved much cheaper.

Ah I got mixed up in the 4K - lack of HDMI1.4a or higher. Good catch!

Agree on the Emotiva comment. Still not sure where said 4K signal is coming from though...
It sounds like OP is experiencing upgraditis and should thoroughly consider all desired changes before searching for upgrades!

 

[pewternhrata]

Found a deal on emotiva, no where near $600. Also was using it for example purposes in reference to using the Integra as just an amp.

As stated above, 4k Amazon fire box, Xbox one s.
In lieu of looking to utilize both 4k and hd audio is where I'm stuck since an optical connection will not net me hd audio. So even though the emotiva has the same decoding as the Integra, at least I could use those via the emotiva)

Aside from cost and how I should spend my money (I rarely purchase new, which Is where the emotiva came into play originally, id be around $300 for it, not a bad choice considering the $200 splitter that was mentioned)

Also was noted that I wouldn't mind going the separates route in the end if I could utilize a pre with my current Integra, I would be on the search for amps later on.

I do have a few setups that I move around and play with so upgraditis is always on my mind (also why I rarely buy new)

 

[panteragstk]

Found a deal on emotiva, no where near $600. Also was using it for example purposes in reference to using the Integra as just an amp.

As stated above, 4k Amazon fire box, Xbox one s.
In lieu of looking to utilize both 4k and hd audio is where I'm stuck since an optical connection will not net me hd audio. So even though the emotiva has the same decoding as the Integra, at least I could use those via the emotiva)

Aside from cost and how I should spend my money (I rarely purchase new, which Is where the emotiva came into play originally, id be around $300 for it, not a bad choice considering the $200 splitter that was mentioned)

Also was noted that I wouldn't mind going the separates route in the end if I could utilize a pre with my current Integra, I would be on the search for amps later on.

I do have a few setups that I move around and play with so upgraditis is always on my mind (also why I rarely buy new)

At that price it makes more sense.

 

[pewternhrata]

At that price it makes more sense.

Sometimes in these forums it's hard to get things across, different ways to go about everything. at least here it's usually saving money which is always good. Everyone's situation is different, and even though I hate spending money, I'm willing to in order to get to where I need/want to be. I'd prefer to get splitters for cost reasons, however I've heard a lot of problems with them. switches seem good but also at a higher cost. Figure a preamp (if it could work, I don't think anyone has answered that yet), at the least, could get me the switching capabilities I'm looking for, as well as room to upgrade further down the road. To buy a brand new pre is out of the question, but used is always an option for me. A benefit ive been looking at with separates is that when new formats come out, I don't have to replace the entire avr. if or when I upgrade my mains, if I need more power, I can add or replace an amp. Given all that, I know separates can get $$$.

 

[panteragstk]

Sometimes in these forums it's hard to get things across, different ways to go about everything. at least here it's usually saving money which is always good. Everyone's situation is different, and even though I hate spending money, I'm willing to in order to get to where I need/want to be. I'd prefer to get splitters for cost reasons, however I've heard a lot of problems with them. switches seem good but also at a higher cost. Figure a preamp (if it could work, I don't think anyone has answered that yet), at the least, could get me the switching capabilities I'm looking for, as well as room to upgrade further down the road. To buy a brand new pre is out of the question, but used is always an option for me. A benefit ive been looking at with separates is that when new formats come out, I don't have to replace the entire avr. if or when I upgrade my mains, if I need more power, I can add or replace an amp. Given all that, I know separates can get $$$.

Yeah, in the whole thread I don't think I saw where you mentioned the price you could get it for.

Getting the MC-700 will work with your current AVR as the amp, but it just sucks that you have to buy a totally new apiece of equipment to get the same decoding capability that you already have.

I've got to figure out what I want to do since I have the same issue. I'll probably end up with a new receiver and put my Onkyo 809 in another room. If it fits since it is HUGE.

 

[pewternhrata]

Yeah, in the whole thread I don't think I saw where you mentioned the price you could get it for.

Getting the MC-700 will work with your current AVR as the amp, but it just sucks that you have to buy a totally new apiece of equipment to get the same decoding capability that you already have.

I've got to figure out what I want to do since I have the same issue. I'll probably end up with a new receiver and put my Onkyo 809 in another room. If it fits since it is HUGE.

Hear ya on that, my Integra needs a shelf almost 24" deep, crazy.

More than likely won't do anything for awhile, figured I'd start looking at what my options are and go from there. Plus the longer I wait, the cheaper used equipment gets, well in theory anyway haha.

 

[TLS Guy]

Integra dtr 7.8 is version 1.3, I know most will say to just get a new receiver.
I can run HDMI straight to the tv, but I'm limited with audio at that point (optical out). I can run HDMI through the receiver but then I'm limited on video.
Aside from buying a new receiver, what options do I have to utilize 4k and audio at this point?
Could I use a HDMI switch with a splitter on the out? (one to tv, the other to receiver)
Or if I found a good deal on a preamp, could I use the Integra as an amp?
Other ideas?

Forget 4K it is absolutely over sold and not worth bothering with. Save your money and put t into the audio.