Integra DHC 40.2 w/ Emotiva XPA-3

[ougrad02]

Ok I have been reworking my home theater. I finally settled on speakers and ordered paradigm studio 60'sv5, cc-590, and adp-590. I'm also running a HSU vtf3 mkII sub. Currently I have an Onkyo 705 receiver as well as an Emotiva xpa-3 that I just ordered. I was wondering if there would be a benefit to picking up a preamp instead of the onkyo reciever to go with the emotiva. I know I would obv have to get some type of amplification for the rear channels if I decide to go that route. Anyway I was looking at something like the Integra DHC 40.2 or maybe a used 40.1. So I guess my question is would this be an upgrade and would it make sense? Or do I just have the bug for wanting to buy new a/v equipment lol. Thoughts?

 

[ougrad02]

Also if you think I'm missing something and should go in a diff direction then please feel free to interject. Thanks.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My opinion is that you will not improve the sound quality going from the Onkyo to anything else, unless you are using room corrections like Audyssey, etc.

If you are just using Direct Mode or Pure Direct, my opinion is that you will not improve on the sound quality.

You may improve on functionality (convinience/features) & aesthetics. That is my opinion.

 

[davidtwotrees]

You just have upgradeitis.
I backed off this hobby because I was spending money that I didn't have on equiptment I didn't need, but rather wanted.
With that said, if you have the disposable income, sure, buy it.
But accudeftech guy is right, you won't change anything, really.
If money wasn't an issue, I would go with seperates.
It is an issue for me, so I am happy with my little 2.1.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You just have upgradeitis.
I backed off this hobby because I was spending money that I didn't have on equiptment I didn't need, but rather wanted.
With that said, if you have the disposable income, sure, buy it.
But accudeftech guy is right, you won't change anything, really.
If money wasn't an issue, I would go with seperates.
It is an issue for me, so I am happy with my little 2.1.

Not to hijack this thread like I do with every thread, but you actually have more speakers now than I do!

You have a 2.1 system, while I only have a 2.0 system.

Yup, done sold all my speakers to make room for the Linkwitz Orions, so now I only have the P362s.

AcuDefTech = Acurus + Def Tech, but we have sold our Acurus amps, and I have sold my beloved Def Tech speakers.

I might also get the KEF 207/2 if my new friend Joe can help me out.

But for now I'm giving up the 5.1 life.

But yeah, getting back to the Onkyo ---> Integra, if you have the money, then do it if it makes you happy (reminds me of that Sheryl Crow song).

 

[ougrad02]

Ya you guys are right. I was just looking for a reason to upgrade but I def don't have excess disposable income lol. The Onkyo and xpa-3 will be more than enough for me. Thanks.

 

[jostenmeat]

Ya you guys are right. I was just looking for a reason to upgrade but I def don't have excess disposable income lol. The Onkyo and xpa-3 will be more than enough for me. Thanks.

I'm glad you might have possibly saved yourself from down-graditis.

The 705 has the superior MultEQ XT, whereas the 40.2 only has MultEQ.

OTOH, it's possible the 40.2 might* last longer, it gives you DSX, and perhaps some other media goodies.

For me though, I choose 705 for the XT. After the xx5 generation (their first with HDMI), they started saving the XT for higher models. You can no longer find it with the 8xx let alone the 7xx.

OK I had to look, forget the 808, it doesn't even come with the 1008. Keep the 705 until it either dies, or you can get XT32.

Then again if you don't care about Audyssey, I just wasted my time.

 

[PENG]

I'm glad you might have possibly saved yourself from down-graditis.

The 705 has the superior MultEQ XT, whereas the 40.2 only has MultEQ.

OTOH, it's possible the 40.2 might* last longer, it gives you DSX, and perhaps some other media goodies.

For me though, I choose 705 for the XT. After the xx5 generation (their first with HDMI), they started saving the XT for higher models. You can no longer find it with the 8xx let alone the 7xx.

OK I had to look, forget the 808, it doesn't even come with the 1008. Keep the 705 until it either dies, or you can get XT32.

Then again if you don't care about Audyssey, I just wasted my time.

I didn't think the X05 series has XT, are you sure they do?

 

[ougrad02]

I'm glad you might have possibly saved yourself from down-graditis.

The 705 has the superior MultEQ XT, whereas the 40.2 only has MultEQ.

OTOH, it's possible the 40.2 might* last longer, it gives you DSX, and perhaps some other media goodies.

For me though, I choose 705 for the XT. After the xx5 generation (their first with HDMI), they started saving the XT for higher models. You can no longer find it with the 8xx let alone the 7xx.

OK I had to look, forget the 808, it doesn't even come with the 1008. Keep the 705 until it either dies, or you can get XT32.

Then again if you don't care about Audyssey, I just wasted my time.

Thanks for that info jostenmeat. I'm happy to say my Onkyo and I are in love again lol. Now what to spend the saved money on.....jk. kind of.

 

[jostenmeat]

I didn't think the X05 series has XT, are you sure they do?

Absolutely positive, starting with the 705 on up. 605 I think had 2eq, 505 I dunno. I have the 805 that I specifically chose for the XT (along with the ability to matrix advanced codec bitstreams, more BM flexbility, and the dual power supplies for A/V was just dumb-luck-good-fortune that I didn't happen to research). I would have chosen the 705 if the 805 as refurbed wasn't going for the same price at the time. That's how I blindly lucked into the extra power supply (if I'm not mistaken), which may or may not allow my HDMI board or other components to last longer. I think the 705 uses one power supply for everything? I dunno.

edit: I need to correct myself that the xx5 is not the first gen they offered with HDMI, but the first with 1.3 and onboard decoders.

 

[ougrad02]

Well obviously at some point when I do need a new avr I can just buy a processor and continue to use the emotiva amps. Just out of curiosity though is there any that is better about the integra 40.2 when comparing it to the 705?

 

[PENG]

Absolutely positive, starting with the 705 on up. 605 I think had 2eq, 505 I dunno. I have the 805 that I specifically chose for the XT (along with the ability to matrix advanced codec bitstreams, more BM flexbility, and the dual power supplies for A/V was just dumb-luck-good-fortune that I didn't happen to research). I would have chosen the 705 if the 805 as refurbed wasn't going for the same price at the time. That's how I blindly lucked into the extra power supply (if I'm not mistaken), which may or may not allow my HDMI board or other components to last longer. I think the 705 uses one power supply for everything? I dunno.

edit: I need to correct myself that the xx5 is not the first gen they offered with HDMI, but the first with 1.3 and onboard decoders.

Thanks, I would have never guessed that the 705 has XT and the 708 has only MultiEq.

 

[PENG]

Well obviously at some point when I do need a new avr I can just buy a processor and continue to use the emotiva amps. Just out of curiosity though is there any that is better about the integra 40.2 when comparing it to the 705?

Not much other than THX certification, more I/O's, finer crossover adjustments (e.g. 45, 55, 70, that are not selectable in the 7005). The thing I don't like about it is that it does not offer the latest Audyssey, in fact not even the XT version that is in the 7005. I think overall the 7005 is a much better value even if it costs 50% more.

 

[ougrad02]

Not much other than THX certification, more I/O's, finer crossover adjustments (e.g. 45, 55, 70, that are not selectable in the 7005). The thing I don't like about it is that it does not offer the latest Audyssey, in fact not even the XT version that is in the 7005. I think overall the 7005 is a much better value even if it costs 50% more.

I could be wrong but I thought the 705 had the THX certification. Either way it definitely sounds like I'd just be wasting my money on changing. The 705 seems every bit as capable as what I'd move to. So 705 + amps it is. Then at some point when I need something more than the 705 I can keep the amps and buy something like an integra or whatever.

 

[Miketuason]

Hi guys, newbie here, recently I was considering the Anthem MRX-300 but after talking to a few pros, they all suggest to steer towards the DHC 40.2. My purpose is to use it as a preamp, surround processor as I already have the external amps (McIntosh). Currently I'm using the Yamaha RX-V765. It sounds really good but I was told my sound quality will dramatically improve with the DHC 40.2 What do you guys think? Before I buy the 40.2 I like to hear you guys thought. My Speakers are Vandersteen 2CE Signature II and a 12" Velodyne sub.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hi guys, newbie here, recently I was considering the Anthem MRX-300 but after talking to a few pros, they all suggest to steer towards the DHC 40.2. My purpose is to use it as a preamp, surround processor as I already have the external amps (McIntosh). Currently I'm using the Yamaha RX-V765. It sounds really good but I was told my sound quality will dramatically improve with the DHC 40.2 What do you guys think? Before I buy the 40.2 I like to hear you guys thought. My Speakers are Vandersteen 2CE Signature II and a 12" Velodyne sub.

I am unfamiliar with the 765's performance, but assuming it works fine as most other yammies, the only way the SQ could possibly dramatically improve is if you use the Audyssey suite, and that you prefer it. However, if you were planning on going with Audyssey, I would opt for a different unit for their latest tech. The vanilla version of MultEQ is two generations old, as MultEQ XT has been out for several years or so, and last year the MultEQ XT32 was introduced.

 

[PENG]

I could be wrong but I thought the 705 had the THX certification. Either way it definitely sounds like I'd just be wasting my money on changing. The 705 seems every bit as capable as what I'd move to. So 705 + amps it is. Then at some point when I need something more than the 705 I can keep the amps and buy something like an integra or whatever.

Sorry, may be because the 40.2 is a pre-pro/tuner I thought you were comparing it to the Marantz AV7005 that is also a pre-pro/tuner. Yes the Onkyo 705 is THX certified but not to the Ultra 2 plus level like the 40.2 is.

 

[PENG]

but I was told my sound quality will dramatically improve with the DHC 40.2

Whoever told you that either has super sensitive/superb hearing ability or over exaggerate any perceived improvement.

 

[Miketuason]

I just ordered the Oppo BDP-95 to hook up to my DHC 40.2. I will let you guys know how it sounds like when get it.