Integra Research RDC-7.1 AVP Review

[gene]

<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/IntegraResearchRDC71p1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[Integra_009] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/Integra_009_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>The RDC-7.1 is truly a high end processor in both form and function.&nbsp; Its physical appearance and build quality have no rival and its fidelity is pristine in most operational modes. Its modular based design provides an easy path for upgradeability ensuring longevity of your investment.&nbsp; Though it has a few operational glitches to be worked out, this product has tremendous potential of becoming the center piece of a high caliber home theater system to satisfy the most critical of audiences.&nbsp;</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">[Read the Review]&nbsp;&nbsp; [A/V Checklist Scorecard]</SPAN></P>

Review Addendum
Date: 3/11/05

Firmware Version
Master: 1.03
Link 1.01
Net-Tune 1.00
HDMI 1.00

We are hoping Integra Research fixes the problems we noted in this review, but at this time our scoring is based on the product as is. Until we can test and verify it we won't know if these fixes were done properly or if their alterations introduced new problems. Here is a reiteration of the main issues potential consumers should be mindful of and verify if fixed in shipping products:

• DTS mode remains engaged in certain instances forcing a complete system power cycle to reset

• DTS lacks mute during acquisition and search (which could potentially damage a system at high volume levels)

• Notch filter is poorly implement as a global function and can add audible resonance and adversely affect system frequency response

• SACD over i.LINK is excessively noisy and deteriorates system fidelity

• Lock Mode doesn't actually lock the stored settings as claimed in the manual

• Trigger delay settings have no effect on turn on time during system power up

 

[Razvan]

What was the master firmware version of the unit you reviewed? Could you please ask IR what DAC's are used in the RDC-7.1?

Thanks,

R

 

[gene]

WAit about 1-2 hrs I will be done posting my 24+ (Word doc) page review The firmware is listed there. The DAC's are Wolfson, but don't recall model#.

 

[Razvan]

WAit about 1-2 hrs I will be done posting my 24+ (Word doc) page review The firmware is listed there. The DAC's are Wolfson, but don't recall model#.

Still, could you please ask Integra Research about the model #?

Thanks,

R

 

[Razvan]

Or, even better, could you unpack the RDC-7.1 and check the DAC's model number? It shouldn't take you too long and that would certainly make the review more informative.

R

 

[Audioholics]

Integra Research needed that unit back pretty quickly so it's already packed up and awaiting return shipment. We'll be doing a follow-up regarding the whole Wolfson/Cirrus logic issue assuming we hear back from the attorney we contacted who's handling the matter.

We still think the review is pretty informative - even without the DAC part #s though...

 

[gene]

I am currently uploading larger versions of the images, but here is the review content to start checking out.

Integra Research RDC-7.1

 

[Razvan]

I just finished reading the review. A few comments:

1. You wrote: "If Integra Research supports hardware and firmware updates, it could make for an unprecedented value for a high caliber home theater system based on its performance, open architecture design, configuration flexibility, and ease of operation."

Well, as of now Integra Research DOES NOT support firmware updates i.e, one cannot download new firmware revisions from their website. The current master firmware version is 1.07, your review unit was 1.03, the unit I have is 1.06. Right now the only way to have the firmware updated is to send the unit back to Integra Research - that's ridiculous.

2. You should have mentioned in your review the DAC's model number. It's not your problem that Cirrus sued Wolfson. You, as a reviewer, have a duty to inform your readers.

3. The RDC-7.1 suffers from audio dropouts with some OTA HD sources. The 1.03 firmware was horrible, 1.06 was much improved but the audio dropouts are still there, just not as noticeable as before.

4. The bass/treble settings on the RDC-7.1 are global, IR's previous processor, the RDC-7, had individual settings. Maybe this can be corrected with a firmware update.

R

 

[gene]

You should have mentioned in your review the DAC's model number. It's not your problem that Cirrus sued Wolfson. You, as a reviewer, have a duty to inform your readers

I really don't appreciate the demeanor of your post. (ok I am tired so excuse me for being on the defensive ) My lack of inclusion of the DAC# has nothing to do with the pending lawsuit between Cirrus and Wolfson as you implied both here and on AVS forum. When I initially opened the unit under review I peered around and could not easly access it. At that time I wasn't even aware of this lawsuit and only recently became aware well after I finished writing my review and was asked about it via email from a couple of readers.


I have had very little contact with Integra Research about the specifications of this product, other than mentioning a few of my findings which I am hopeful they will address for the benefit of the owners.

I didn't realize it was my "duty" to include a Bill of Materials of the product under review. I will keep that in mind next time

I do have a shot of the interior which I forgot to publish and will shortly show up on page2.

Since you are apparently an owner, how about you take a look inside and report on it for us.

 

[gene]

As you can see the modules have a metal bracket over them that was not easy to remove. I wasn't inclined to dissect further or remove card modules since this is not an item I am holding onto.

 

[Razvan]

I really don't appreciate the demeanor of your post. My lack of inclusion of the DAC# has nothing to due with the pending lawsuit between Cirrus and Wolfson as you implied both here and on AVS forum. When I initially opened the unit under review I peered around and could not easly access it.

That's not what you said the first time I asked you about it. You simply said that the unit was now boxed up - that's a ridiculous answer not to mention that it contradicts what you just wrote. You could have asked IR a long time ago what DAC's they were using. You didn't, it's your fault and your review is incomplete. [Edit: Want some cheese with that wine? We encourage you to do your own review and stop monopolizing this thread. - Clint]

I also remember you guys criticizing Anthem for not using DAC's that handle SACD natively in their D1 processor. No such criticism in the RDC-7.1 review. Why is that? [Edit: Perhaps because that was a different reviewer...? Of course, that's just a humble guess on my part. Also, we didn't criticise them for it in the first place but actually supported it. - Clint]

R

 

[Audioholics]

Razvan, take it somewhere else.

 

[RLA]

Excellent review
I cannot think of one other publication that has that kind of in-depth review of the RDC-7.1.
I am not 100% sure but I think the DAC used is the WM-8719
Here is a PDF of the block diag I have the whole file on the DAC including Electrical characteristics,Interface timings and sampling rates but its
too large to post

PS: Clint if I am correct I want my A/H private stripe

 

[troytn]

Hey Gene great review! In your opinion how does the Yamaha Z9 compare to this unit for SACD and DVD audio using the I-LINK connection. Are they the same in base management and over all sound for these formats? Is there much difference or benefit of using I-LINK vs the 5.1 analog inputs?

Many of us are curious on the I-LINK connection sound improvements over analog from high end dvd players like the Denon 5910, 5900 or even the 3910 with their high quality DACSv vs the high quality DACS in the Z9 and Integra. I wonder if there is truely a sound improvement in your opinion using I-LINK over the analog connection.


Thanks

 

[gene]

In your opinion how does the Yamaha Z9 compare to this unit for SACD and DVD audio using the I-LINK connection.

It currently doesn't compare since the RDC-7.1 has a problem handling SACD via I.Link. Until Integra Research fixes this issue, a fair comparison cannot be made. DVD-A sounded great on the RDC-7.1 however. My advice is to use the analog inputs on the RDC-7.1 for SACD when using a universal DVD player until they resolve the noise issue.

The advantages of using I.Link over normal analog connections (assuming I.Link interface is working properly) are:
1) All the bass management and digital delay compensation are handled by the processor
2) Channel balances are optimal for all formats. Usually you have to calibrate levels differently when using analog compared to DD/DTS
3) One connection for all formats

 

[expletive]

Gene i also enjoyed the review. Was there ever a complete analysis done on the Anthem D1? I know the time difference between you having your hands on each one has been too long for meaningful audio comparisons, but any impressions or recollections would be of interest. Thanks!

John

 

[Dan Banquer]

Integra 7.1

I'm going to echo RLA and say that this was one of the most complete reviews I have ever seen on any piece of equipment. I don't even recall seeing pro audio work stations reviewed to this extent. Reviews like this are a big value to the consumer and installer. GO GENE!
d.b.
P.S. The only review I have ever seen that can be called equivalent was an Ed Foster review of the first Sony SACD player in Pro Audio Review.

 

[gene]

Was there ever a complete analysis done on the Anthem D1?

We are stilll waiting on Anthem to add HDMI and I.Link feature sets to the platform. Until that happens, we don't believe the product is an exceptional value to consumers at its current asking price and thus decided to defer asking for a review piece.

 

[Krobar]

I'm an RDC-7.1 owner since January and first off I'd just like to congratulate Gene on writing such a comprehensive and complete review that mirrors so many of my own thoughts about the unit.

I want to add a few comments and nuggets of info about some of the issues mentioned in the review.

Current firmware is 1.07 and review sample was 1.03. My unit was a November 1.03 build which I upgraded earlier in the week to 1.06 with software IR supplied. The software is still a little rough but is very near to completion IMHO and is part of a policy change at Integra.
Public release of firmware updates is planned in the next month or so although I dont know if it will be anonymous download, download for registered users only or by email on request. The update takes about an hour and is done using the serial port.

The DBass option mentioned on page 3 of the review is not present in version 1.06 and seems to have been defaulted to the correct setting.

PC software to configure the RDC that was mentioned in the original press release should be released soon and sounds like it could be very useful to those without the video options (Like myself).

Gene,
Do you know of any particular SACDs that highlight the noise issues?

 

[gene]

Krobar;

Thanks for your excellent and most useful feedback! Anyone who owns this unit should definatey upgrade their firmware. Its very odd that my unit was shipped with old firmware, especially since I discussed many of these issues I found with Integra Research at the EHX show last month and they made no mention of it to me.

Pretty much all of the SACD's I tested exhibited this noise problem via I.Link. Most of my listening was done with the excellent Patricia Barber recordings from Premonition Records that I referenced in my review.