Integra 9.8=overkill? Onkyo 705 enough?

[jostenmeat]

Hey you tech heads.

Through spontaneous indulgence combined with great opportunities do I have both a new HD-DVD and BD player on the way, both of which can stream all formats including MA. Time to upgrade the pre/pro!

Well, I've so far only found one dealer with 3 Integras on backorder till mid-Jan, and he's keeping one of those for himself.

I just want to confirm what I will be missing out on for my personal needs. First of all, the useless bonuses are the balanced outputs (I will never have +50ft runs, my amp will always be next to pre/pro), nor Zone 3, let alone Zone 2. I know I will miss out on the HQV, I will just hope my entry level Denon is good enough. So questions:

- How different will the Audyssey implementation be? Same or differing quality? (Never used such a program before).
- How much, if any, difference in SQ should I expect to hear between these units?
- What else am I missing? (Seth=L, maybe you know!)

I do feel strange about spending on an amp section that will never be used. This unit will also be my 2-channel pre/pro until I add a tubed pre with HT pass. Not sure when that will happen, but hopefully sooner than later.

*My dealer is letting me trade in my refurbed NAD T-163 towards anything (he doesn't carry Integra, but does carry Onkyo). I'm not sure whether to get the Onkyo thru Vann's/Amazon for pricing, or a big box store for flexibilty of returns, or just trade the NAD to dealer. However, I think I lean towards trading that in for something else that is not easily findable as a 705, such as the aforementioned tubed pre.

Thanks for any insight, input, opinions....

jostenmeat

edit, just found this link, time to read:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=871946

They mention the lack of amp trigger, but I swear I saw one on the photo...

 

[jostenmeat]

I guess the 705 is probably the better fit for me. Anyone have comments about Cirrus Logic vs Burr-Brown DAC's?

Sorry to ask to be spoon fed, what exactly is the improvement of the Ultra2 from Select2? (I do have a 7.1 setup). I'll go look into now.

 

[jostenmeat]

Are you guys enjoying my conversation with myself?

So to take advantage of Ultra2, I need components built to spec, or is that hogwash? My speakers are quite mismatched, so is this totally a moot point anyways?

Thanks again.

edit:
*sigh* Onkyo triggers are only for zone 2. I wonder if rigging up the inverter has any downsides such as danger, heat, or added noise...

I also have not found information about which Onkyo models can have different x-over settings per speaker. Anyways, the 705 FAQ at AVS is the most comprehensive owner's thread I have ever seen. Post #3 regarding Audyssey implementation will be most beneficial to me, for those who might be curious.

 

[Josuah]

Is the 705 the Onkyo version of the Integra DTC-9.8? Secrets measured both of them head-to-head and found the DTC-9.8 measured better enough to justify going with the 9.8, even though the feature set looks the same.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have no idea what you are trying to power and I am not even certain I understand what questions you are asking....

 

[adk highlander]

Is the 705 the Onkyo version of the Integra DTC-9.8? Secrets measured both of them head-to-head and found the DTC-9.8 measured better enough to justify going with the 9.8, even though the feature set looks the same.

The clone version of the Integra 9.8 is an Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 and is not the Onkyo receiver TX-SR805 that was in the review. The 9.8 and 885 are the comparable models and can be considered identical. Same REON, DAC's and power supply.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Are you guys enjoying my conversation with myself?.

Yes, interesting in just 17 minutes Not sure what your expectations are of us, instant response? You should have beeped us all

 

[mcotton]

Hey you tech heads.

Well, I've so far only found one dealer with 3 Integras on backorder till mid-Jan, and he's keeping one of those for himself.

We have five 9.8s at our operations center, they haven't been opened yet. We installed a 8.8 in our showroom last week and so far I really like it. We are waiting for Integra to update their firmware so we can use the Audyssey pro calibration features.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I guess the 705 is probably the better fit for me. Anyone have comments about Cirrus Logic vs Burr-Brown DAC's?

Sorry to ask to be spoon fed, what exactly is the improvement of the Ultra2 from Select2? (I do have a 7.1 setup). I'll go look into now.

I don't see how anyone can actually hear a difference between Cirrus Logic & Burr-Brown DACs.

I know that Harman Kardon uses Cirrus Logic & Denon/Onkyo use Burr-Brown. I can't tell much difference, if any. Besides, amps, pre-amps, CD players, and DACs should all sound very similar. Only digital processors, speakers, and room acoustics differ significantly, right?

I believe Ultra2 is certified for bigger rooms w/ bigger amps & more zones. But again, I doubt any significant differences.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

"Integra 9.8=overkill? Onkyo 705 enough?"

Are you kidding me?

There is no such thing as overkill here!

If you don't want to spend the extra $$, then the Onkyo is "enough", unless you are driving 4 ohms speakers w/ a sensitivity of less than 90dB w/m.

If you got the $$, by all means get the Integra 9.8.

 

[ChicagoTC]

"Integra 9.8=overkill? Onkyo 705 enough?"

Are you kidding me?

There is no such thing as overkill here!

Exactly my thoughts!
I've had the Integra since last Saturday still sitting in the box. My Emotiva IPS-1 is scheduled for delivery today. Tomorrow is more then likely a "work" from home day.

 

[adk highlander]

There is no such thing as overkill here!

Isn't that rule number one here. If you can fit it in the room and the your foundation is not cracking from the LFE then you still have room to grow!

In all reality there is not another prepro out yet that can match the 9.8/885 in features and price. In the coming months Emotiva and Outlaw will have theirs out but right now it pretty much stands alone.

 

[jostenmeat]

The clone version of the Integra 9.8 is an Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 and is not the Onkyo receiver TX-SR805 that was in the review. The 9.8 and 885 are the comparable models and can be considered identical. Same REON, DAC's and power supply.

Thank you for that information. I have since read about it a tiny bit at AVS. I assume that unit is as nearly impossible to get right now as well.

We have five 9.8s at our operations center, they haven't been opened yet. We installed a 8.8 in our showroom last week and so far I really like it. We are waiting for Integra to update their firmware so we can use the Audyssey pro calibration features.

Thank you for bringing to light the pro features that this unit will be capable of. I since discovered the short list of pre/pros and receivers that can do so, and the Onkyo 705 is surely not one of them. Unlike with the balanced outputs, or multi zones, this potential is something I would pay a bit more for.

"Integra 9.8=overkill? Onkyo 705 enough?"

Are you kidding me?

There is no such thing as overkill here!

If you don't want to spend the extra $$, then the Onkyo is "enough", unless you are driving 4 ohms speakers w/ a sensitivity of less than 90dB w/m.

If you got the $$, by all means get the Integra 9.8.

Sorry, my man. I just have no idea what I was thinking. The unit will only act as a pre/pro. I have a multi-ch amp that does drive mains that drop to 0.7 ohm. If and when I can split the 2-ch off from the HT, I will look into a 2-ch amp and am curious in buying a used Pass Labs some day. Saw a good deal from a Vegas store on the 'gon a little while back, but this is at least several months away, if not longer.

Isn't that rule number one here. If you can fit it in the room and the your foundation is not cracking from the LFE then you still have room to grow!

In all reality there is not another prepro out yet that can match the 9.8/885 in features and price. In the coming months Emotiva and Outlaw will have theirs out but right now it pretty much stands alone.

Again, thanks for your information. I've always wondered what I would have got if I spent more in the beginning, and got Outlaw products rather than refurbished NAD. Second chance? I am now slightly leaning towards dropping a deposit on the Integra. To get it to fit, I'll probably have to lift tv, remove glass shelf, drop it in, and put everything back. No big deal obviously.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[yettitheman]

"Integra 9.8=overkill? Onkyo 705 enough?"

Are you kidding me?

There is no such thing as overkill here!

If you don't want to spend the extra $$, then the Onkyo is "enough", unless you are driving 4 ohms speakers w/ a sensitivity of less than 90dB w/m.

If you got the $$, by all means get the Integra 9.8.

I will agree here. However, which has more power is unknown to me, but Audioholic rule #1 is:
More power = More smile. More Smile = Less Money.

More is better

 

[Seth=L]

I will agree here. However, which has more power is unknown to me, but Audioholic rule #1 is:
More power = More smile. More Smile = Less Money.

More is better

I think you have that a tad backwards. More power costs more money, in most scenarios.

The Integra they are discussing is a preamp only, so no power. I believe the OP has amplifiers already, so the DTC-9.8 is a good choice for a very flexible preamp/processor that is sure to outperform the TX-SR705 even if by only a little plus it has many more features.

 

[yettitheman]

I think you have that a tad backwards. More power costs more money, in most scenarios.

The Integra they are discussing is a preamp only, so no power. I believe the OP has amplifiers already, so the DTC-9.8 is a good choice for a very flexible preamp/processor that is sure to outperform the TX-SR705 even if by only a little plus it has many more features.

Eh, what can I say? I'm at work, and it hurts my head.
The only thing I know what to do is type sometimes and try to offer advice with some thought in mind.

 

[jostenmeat]

Eh, what can I say? I'm at work, and it hurts my head.
The only thing I know what to do is type sometimes and try to offer advice with some thought in mind.

Oh, dont worry, it made perfect sense to me. If I have more power, I will have more smile, but I will have less money. Thanks for the humor, btw.

 

[yettitheman]

Oh, dont worry, it made perfect sense to me. If I have more power, I will have more smile, but I will have less money. Thanks for the humor, btw.

No problem. The only time it's unfunny is when the wife figures out how much you have spent on your rig!!!