Integra DHC-80.1 SSP

[rmk]

Integra just released it's new top of the line Surround Sound Processor the DHC-80.1.

It has some improvements in the AD conversion with the new Burr-Brown 192 KHz/32-Bit Audio DACs, 9.2 capability with Audyssey DSX (Heights and Wides), Network Audio Streaming and some Audyssey features that my 9.8 lacked.

I'm not expecting a big improvement in SQ but the features justified the upgrade. MSLP is a little steep but I got a great price from and local dealer and sold my 9.8 for a fair price so a relativly painless upgrade. Should have it on Tuesday.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Integra just released it's new top of the line Surround Sound Processor the DHC-80.1.

It has some improvements in the AD conversion with the new Burr-Brown 192 KHz/32-Bit Audio DACs, 9.2 capability with Audyssey DSX (Heights and Wides), Network Audio Streaming and some Audyssey features that my 9.8 lacked.

I'm not expecting a big improvement in SQ but the features justified the upgrade. MSLP is a little steep but I got a great price from and local dealer and sold my 9.8 for a fair price so a relativly painless upgrade. Should have it on Tuesday.

Cool man!

This is the pre-pro to get now. If I was shopping, this is what I'd go with.

That said, I do have some gripes:

These giant feature lists are a bit over the top though. I wish someone would make a basic balanced preamp without fluff. Network streaming I'd rather use an apple TV, Audyssey is cumbersome in my experience and I'd rather use an external EQ, DSX is rediculous, especially considering the formats most movies are mixed in, and so on....

I know they need to come up with stuff to get people to buy new units, but, I just don't think this adds anything very important over your old unit.

 

[rmk]

Cool man!

This is the pre-pro to get now. If I was shopping, this is what I'd go with.

That said, I do have some gripes:

These giant feature lists are a bit over the top though. I wish someone would make a basic balanced preamp without fluff. Network streaming I'd rather use an apple TV, Audyssey is cumbersome in my experience and I'd rather use an external EQ, DSX is rediculous, especially considering the formats most movies are mixed in, and so on....

I know they need to come up with stuff to get people to buy new units, but, I just don't think this adds anything very important over your old unit.

You're probably right, I've been drinking too much of the Audyssey Kool-Aid.

BTW and along these lines, I retract my recommendation of the Audyssey Installer Pro Kit. Not enough bang for the buck.

 

[MidnightSensi]

You're probably right, I've been drinking too much of the Audyssey Kool-Aid.

BTW and along these lines, I retract my recommendation of the Audyssey Installer Pro Kit. Not enough bang for the buck.

Haha, cheers for letting me know. I wasn't having much luck with my stock Audyssey this weekend. Shut it off finally haha.

Again, I'm not knocking your purchase, that's the unit to have right now... I'm just kinda frusturated overall the direction these units are going. Onkyo's and Integra's are probably the best reasonable priced ones now, in my opinion, but they still have a faceplate that looks like a stock car with all the logos and crap they have on it.

 

[davidtwotrees]

......... I'm just kinda frusturated overall the direction these units are going. Onkyo's and Integra's are probably the best reasonable priced ones now, in my opinion, but they still have a faceplate that looks like a stock car with all the logos and crap they have on it.

I'm with you midnight..........those are the prepros to beat now, but the feature sets are insane...........must be an asian thing. I am not a geek, or a tweeker, or a fiddler who wants to go through endless menus. I'm not knocking people who enjoy that sort of thing...........I want simple- easy -intuitive. My Lexicon DC1 embodies that. Also, my first real pre pro was an Audio Refinement Pre2DSP, maybe four inches tall, with a tiny remote. Very easy to use and set up. Sure, both those units are dinosaurs by today's standards, but they do just what I want and I miss that ease of use and functionality...........
Also, I'm 48......maybe it's a generational thing???

 

[Nomo]

Looks nice.
They've followed Yamaha with the switch to the blueish white display.
I haven't got used to it over the Yamaha amber, but I do like it better that The Onkyo turquoise.

 

[rmk]

I setup the 80.1 last night, ran an 8 position Audyssey and played some movie demos. It sounds fantastic and the simultaneous active HDMI Outs are perfect for my dual display (Plasma/Front Projection) setup. Audyssey Dynamic EQ will be fun to experiment with as the bass is more noticeable (in a good way) at lower overall MV and yet stays natural and in sync as the volume increases. I also plan on experimenting with the height channels in a 9.2 configuration and may do something with Internet Radio or Sirius.

My unit is in a separate equipment closet so the reported relay clicking issue is not noticeable but I did confirm it is happening when changing channels on the cable DVR box. If you had the unit near the LP and not in a cabinet or enclosed in some way, I suppose it might be bothersome to a certain personality type (anal retentive). Again, this is a non-issue for me.

Early impression is that for my use the 80.1 seems like the perfect device and it should serve me for a good long while.

 

[Warpdrv]

Good deal RMK, I saw the 80 at CEDIA and talked with the guys there.. Def a feature rich product - overkill maybe, but then again I sprung for the D2v - so what the hell am I going to say here... Looks like its about 1/2 price of what I paid for the Anthem.

I was really hoping Audyssey gets things right, works for some not for others... that hit and miss business was kinda sketchy to me - Nuance never had good luck with his and runs with it turned off... which is why I went overboard on the Anthem. I will say that ARC in the D2v has perfect and seemless integration in my setup, and things never sounded as good without it, but it was a hard pill to swallow in the price range...

Here's to hoping the integra works great for you for many years to come..
Keep us posted on your findings...

Warp

 

[rmk]

Good deal RMK, I saw the 80 at CEDIA and talked with the guys there.. Def a feature rich product - overkill maybe, but then again I sprung for the D2v - so what the hell am I going to say here... Looks like its about 1/2 price of what I paid for the Anthem.

I was really hoping Audyssey gets things right, works for some not for others... that hit and miss business was kinda sketchy to me - Nuance never had good luck with his and runs with it turned off... which is why I went overboard on the Anthem. I will say that ARC in the D2v has perfect and seemless integration in my setup, and things never sounded as good without it, but it was a hard pill to swallow in the price range...

Here's to hoping the integra works great for you for many years to come..
Keep us posted on your findings...

Warp

I'm sure that the D2 is an impressive product. Honestly, I am not sold on Audyssey in my room. I bought the Pro Kit in a sort of all in move but found that it was tedious to use and the results were no better than the standard MultEq XT. Another forum member who has heard my system and has some experience with Audyssey suggests doing 8 measurements in very close proximity to the primary LP. The concept is that might provide better overall response by not forcing Audyssey to try and do too much correction.

In any case the old "treat the room first" truism applies.

 

[Warpdrv]

In any case the old "treat the room first" truism applies.

You can say that again, I am slowly adding more room treatment to my room, which is not a dedicate room so its a bit more tedious to come up with the right layout - that passes MY acceptance for decoration and taste...

 

[rmk]

Update

I have to say that this processor is wearing very well. We watched UP over the weekend with some friends and that latest PIXAR film is pure reference from both an audio and video standpoint. The DTS HD-MA surround mix on UP was better than any film I have heard and the video is eye popping.

Audyssey’s Dynamic EQ has been a pleasant surprise. The idea of Dynamic EQ is that it works with MultEQ to maintain bass response, tonal balance and surround effects at lower than reference volumes. I have found that it works as advertized. In the past (and with my subs level matched) I would typically run my system @ -5 to -7.5 MV to get the impact bass effects to really kick. Now I get similar effects while maintaining tonal balance and dialog intelligibility at -10 to -12 MV.

If I want that shock factor slam I can still run the system @ -5 (or louder) but I can also run it a saner -10 now without giving up much of the impact of the higher MV. Very cool technology.

Also did some listening to MC and Stereo music over the weekend and noticed an improvement in SQ almost immediately. The price for the dynamic capabilities of my JTR”s has been a bit less articulation, precise imaging and soundstage as compared to my previous Revel Ultima setup. The DHC-80.1 seems to have closed that gap and I can’t help but wonder how great the Revels would sound with this processor.

Good job Onkyo/Integra!

 

[jostenmeat]

Great mini review.

Audyssey’s Dynamic EQ has been a pleasant surprise. The idea of Dynamic EQ is that it works with MultEQ to maintain bass response, tonal balance and surround effects at lower than reference volumes. I have found that it works as advertized. In the past (and with my subs level matched) I would typically run my system @ -5 to -7.5 MV to get the impact bass effects to really kick. Now I get similar effects while maintaining tonal balance and dialog intelligibility at -10 to -12 MV.

If you find significant benefit in that tech, I can only imagine how much it helps others. My interest is now further piqued.

If I want that shock factor slam I can still run the system @ -5 (or louder) but I can also run it a more sane -10 now without giving up much of the impact of the higher MV. Very cool technology.

I've never turned it up that high! I think I've done -7.5 a few times, but it's been over a year. lol

Also did some listening to MC and Stereo music over the weekend and noticed an improvement in SQ almost immediately. The price for the dynamic capabilities of my JTR”s has been a bit less articulation, precise imaging and soundstage as compared to my pervious Revel Ultima setup. The DHC-80.1 seems to have closed that gap and I can’t help but wonder how great the Revels would sound with this processor.

I don't ever remember reading these thoughts between your two setups, thanks.

 

[rmk]

I've never turned it up that high! I think I've done -7.5 a few times, but it's been over a year. lol

Well if you got yourself some real HT speakers you might find it worthwhile.

I don't ever remember reading these thoughts between your two setups, thanks.

But seriously and related to the above sarcasm, the Revels sounded fantastic at lower to mid volumes but when pushed hard they simply didn't have the dynamic range to do HT or rock concert audio the way I wanted.

Most folks don't need or want the type of audio system that I have and that's cool, to each his own.

 

[jostenmeat]

Well if you got yourself some real HT speakers you might find it worthwhile.

But seriously and related to the above sarcasm, the Revels sounded fantastic at lower to mid volumes but when pushed hard they simply didn't have the dynamic range to do HT or rock concert audio the way I wanted.

Most folks don't need or want the type of audio system that I have and that's cool, to each his own.

Oh, no doubt. I am 100% positive if I had your rig for the HT, I'd be pushing it further, and more often.

For instance, after I implemented room treatments, I could further push the volume further before discernible room issues became overwhelming (I know they still do, but that point is now further away).

After I implemented Audyssey XT, I could yet push it further. It was after all that when I could even get to -7.5 to begin with. Before, I couldn't even get to single digits without it sounding pretty bad.

Obviously, it's not just about volume only, but the quality of it. I know you agree. Bastard.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Oh, no doubt. I am 100% positive if I had your rig for the HT, I'd be pushing it further, and more often.

For instance, after I implemented room treatments, I could further push the volume further before discernible room issues became overwhelming (I know they still do, but that point is now further away).

After I implemented Audyssey XT, I could yet push it further. It was after all that when I could even get to -7.5 to begin with. Before, I couldn't even get to single digits without it sounding pretty bad.

Obviously, it's not just about volume only, but the quality of it. I know you agree. Bastard.

Makes me want to get some big efficient mains.

Problem is if I put those JTR's in my room, I wouldn't have much room left.

 

[cheld]

My unit is in a separate equipment closet so the reported relay clicking issue is not noticeable but I did confirm it is happening when changing channels on the cable DVR box. If you had the unit near the LP and not in a cabinet or enclosed in some way, I suppose it might be bothersome to a certain personality type (anal retentive). Again, this is a non-issue for me.

So the clicking is from the 80.1 itself and not the speakers? I have an older Integra DTR-9.1 and the speakers make a "pwoink"ing sound when switching audio sources. It sometimes cuts off the first note or two of a CD :-(. Does the 80.1 cut off actual sound during switches or at the start of CDs?

 

[muadibe]

Have you explored the network features yet?

Hello RMK,

Have you had a chance to explore the network features: Pandora,etc.?

I have been waiting for almost a year for the Outlaw 997 and now that I am ready to pull the trigger, I am seriously looking at the DHC-80.1

The addition of Internet connectivity is looking very attractive. To tell you the truth, if someone made a pre/pro with just HDMI and full support for HD streaming of Internet services such as Netflix, You Tube, Revision3 etc. I would be happy. My analogue equipment is packed away as I have not used it in 7 years.

I am building my dream system with High quality digital sources in mind. Bluray for movies. Lossless for audio. Streaming for every day entertainment( the internet is catching up fast on this end).

Much appreciate your feedback.

Cheers
Muadibe

 

[rmk]

Hello RMK,

Have you had a chance to explore the network features: Pandora,etc.?

I have been waiting for almost a year for the Outlaw 997 and now that I am ready to pull the trigger, I am seriously looking at the DHC-80.1

The addition of Internet connectivity is looking very attractive. To tell you the truth, if someone made a pre/pro with just HDMI and full support for HD streaming of Internet services such as Netflix, You Tube, Revision3 etc. I would be happy. My analogue equipment is packed away as I have not used it in 7 years.

I am building my dream system with High quality digital sources in mind. Bluray for movies. Lossless for audio. Streaming for every day entertainment( the internet is catching up fast on this end).

Much appreciate your feedback.

Cheers
Muadibe

Sorry to say no, I'm old as well as old shcool and I'm not really interested in anything the WWW has to offer AV wise. I will continue with my head in the sand approach until convinced otherwise.

 

[Warpdrv]

+1.... not a big fan of streaming off the internet...

I setup everything to stream from my enormous server in the basement...

 

[Gelated]

Should Resolution: Auto select 1080p/24?

Does anybody know if the Integra DHC-80.1 with the video Resolution setting set to "Auto" is supposed to auto-select 1080p/24 for 24 fps source material? My Oppo automatically outputs video material at 1080p/60 and film material at 1080p/24 and my TV is capable of both. If I force the Resolution to 1080p/24, it all works great and my TV reports a 1080p/24 signal. If I set Resolution to Auto, the DHC always sets the output to the TV at 1080p/60, even when it shows the input as 1080p/24.