Integra

[Alex2507]

What does the Integra replace? I should have been keeping a closer eye on you but I was busy stalking somone else. Seriously a brief run down of the thought process behind this move would be enlightening.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Davemcc]

What does the Integra replace? I should have been keeping a closer eye on you but I was busy stalking somone else. Seriously a brief run down of the thought process behind this move would be enlightening.

Thanks,
Alex

Leave Schmoe alone, you internet bully!!!!

This is replacing a Denon 2307. What really drove the replacement is that I hated the idea of running a receiver as a pre/pro, keeping power to the amp section that was just idling all the time. I was looking at receivers in the range with amp sections that could replace both the Denon and Rotel amp, like the Onkyo 905, Pioneer SC07, Denon 3808 or 4308 or the Yammie 3800. But in that range, the Integra becomes a viable option, because it's actually cheaper than some and I already have the amp.

Plus, the PS3 replaced my universal player. The 2307 is HDMI v1.1, so I lost SACD capability in that switch. Somewhere along the line, I also became interested in the Reon HQV video processing and I wanted to see if I could improve my SD sat. signal with a good scaler. I just couldn't pull the trigger on something with a Faroudja or ABT scaler. I've also been having some intermittent bass issues. The only component that I haven't been able to swap or take out of the chain is the Denon. I suspect the Denon's bass output may be faulty. The only way to check is to replace it with another component and see.

There was really a whole host of issues that combined to make me upgrade. None really important on it's own but when combined as a group was enough to justify it to me. The new codecs were the least of concerns for me, although for some it might be the most significant upgrade. Maybe the most significant factor for me is that it's simply a great piece of equipment and is just plain cool.

 

[Alex2507]

Talk about different strokes ... Not concerned with the new audio codecs?
I'm surprised to find that out about you. I thought it was all about audio for you. You've got the room treatments and the Velodyne SMS-1 right? So what was the top contender out of the rec'r choices for you? Not that they are not all out my range but I'm just interested.

How's the wiring going? I for one am looking forward to hearing what you have to say about how the Integra performs. If you don't mind me asking, what did that run you up in Canada?

Alex

 

[adk highlander]

How's the wiring going?

Yes Dave how is it going? Now that you have fresh batteries we do expect pics when you are done.

 

[Davemcc]

Talk about different strokes ... Not concerned with the new audio codecs?
I'm surprised to find that out about you. I thought it was all about audio for you. You've got the room treatments and the Velodyne SMS-1 right? So what was the top contender out of the rec'r choices for you? Not that they are not all out my range but I'm just interested.

How's the wiring going? I for one am looking forward to hearing what you have to say about how the Integra performs. If you don't mind me asking, what did that run you up in Canada?

Alex

Alex, no matter what I got it would have had the new codecs, so it was a factor but not what led me to the Integra. If I had gone the receiver route, it would likely have been the Onkyo 906 when it's released up here. That would have been about $2200 but I didn't see any significant advantage over the Integra/Rotel combo. I could have waited for the DTC-9.9, but the major improvement there is the Ethernet PlaysForSure type of stuff that I don't really need. The Integra cost me $1850, a healthy discount but still higher than U.S. MSRP.

So far, all I have done is laid out the equipment on the rack, sat and looked at it and tried to envision how the wiring will best be laid out. I moved stuff around a little to get the best balance between wiring and aesthetics. I think I've got that balance now and wiring can begin. I was delayed a bit while my wife and I discussed the wireless network arrangement that will also share the rack, but I'm ready to wire it up now.

Here's the new rack as it sits. I don't know why I get such grainy pictures, sorry for the bad shot. From the bottom, Rotel RMB-1075, Integra DTC-9.8. Panamax 5300EX, Motorola 9200, Escient Fireball SE80, Velodyne SMS-1 and the PS3 right on top.

 

[Alex2507]

I see what you mean about the codecs. Thanks for the pic's and the equipment list.
Even if you don't play it loud enough to dim the lights, that is some cool stuff.

 

[Adam]

Dave, that Rotel is beautiful!

I get grainy pictures on my camera when the light is too low. One of the resident camera experts can help you out, though, I'm sure.

 

[Davemcc]

Wow, the install is tentatively done. I tied up the cables with velcro and twist ties so I can swap out or re-route any cables as necessary. The layout remained the same as the picture above but the router and modems are on the top shelf and the phone is on the shelf with the PS3. What a pain in the tush, adding the networking stuff into the main system. The sheer number of 9v and 12v adapters is simply crazy. And why won't somebody make a 6" LAN cable for a router and modem that sit right next to each other.

Impressions:
The GUI is light years ahead of my Denon. Really, it's beautiful looking, well laid out and easy to use.
My SD channels have never had such a nice, clean image. GO REON!!! YOU ROCK!!!
I didn't hook up the Algolith Flea in the setup this go around because of the Reon chip and I am not disappointed. Although in the few minutes I've had to play with setting, the image is better with the HDMI output to pass-through instead of having the DTC do the de-interlacing from the Sat box's 1080i signal. The 1080p output from the DTC was significantly grainier than the pass-through setting.
I'll have to pick ADK's brain for using the sound field settings properly.
Other than that, it's 4AM, my wife is sleeping and I won't be able to do the auto-setup, Audessey or run bass sweeps for the sub's new location front and center with the center channel on top for a little while.

Grade so far - A+++

 

[Adam]

Dave, I decided to go off and try to find you a short cable. I easily found 12" cables at Monoprice, but as I looked for shorter, I noticed a number of mentions for DIY. However, the other thing that really caught my attention in my search were references to a minimum length for those cables - with most seemingly agreeing on two meters (or 36"). Claims are that shorter cables than that will reduce the throughput, with one source stating that it was due to standing waves. Anyway, I thought that was interesting. It's late and I'm tired, so I certainly may have missed something and might just be propagating urban myths...

 

[Davemcc]

Thanks for the extra effort Adam. I've got the cables all nicely coiled and out of sight so it's not a huge issue. Just the initial hookup is a PIA.

If you were propagating urban myths, the audio objectivists would be on your back side in no time. We'll see what happens there.

 

[Alex2507]

Mornin' Dave,
Let me ask you to do me a favor. If it's no trouble could you reduce the size of your pic's to 800x600 (?) or something like that before you go posting them. If you're using photobucket,
check that option before downloading.
Me and mikec are getting worn out with the left and right thing.
The nerve of some people, right?

Have fun,
Alex

 

[Davemcc]

Mornin' Dave,
Let me ask you to do me a favor. If it's no trouble could you reduce the size of your pic's to 800x600 (?) or something like that before you go posting them. If you're using photobucket,
check that option before downloading.
Me and mikec are getting worn out with the left and right thing.
The nerve of some people, right?

Have fun,
Alex

No problem, Alex. I wasn't aware my pics would cause problems like that.

So...You and MikeC, Huh?*


*Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Alex2507]

No problem, Alex. I wasn't aware my pics would cause problems like that.

So...You and MikeC, Huh?*


*Not that there's anything wrong with that.

You're sick, you know that?



I guess it's only an issue for those without widescreen monitors.

Edit: Mikec get's credit for teacing me to use photobucket like the other cool kids.

 

[Adam]

I guess it's only an issue for those without widescreen monitors.

You know, there's a simple solution for that.

 

[Alex2507]

You know, there's a simple solution for that.

Yeah, it probably starts with something called a job.

 

[Rickster71]

Yeah, it probably starts with something called a job.

Don't you just hate that?

 

[davidtwotrees]

Dave. I am looking at these prepros as I am selling off my audio refinement yba amp and prepro and the price I am getting is just enough to pull the trigger on one of these or the pro model.
Any thoughts for me? I am not a technogeek. I get my gear going, but it is by no means an intuitive process, and there is usually a lot of nail biting..........is this unit a real pain to learn and figure out? Would you buy one again? Any problems or other things you can share? TIA, D2T

 

[Davemcc]

David, setting the unit up was a breeze. It's got a very nice user interface and the menu options are pretty straight forward. Really, it's no different than setting up your average receiver.

I've found one problem that Integra's tech reps are working on. My unit will not recognize TrueHD or DTS-HD MA bitstream from either of the BD players I've tried. I can still use PCM for those codecs so it's not like I've lost that ability altogether, but I would like to ensure that bitstream capability is working. It's only been a couple of days since I called the Integra tech line so I'm still waiting to see what the next step of the process is going to be.

I do find that the unit runs hot. If you have space above the unit, I doubt it would be an issue. I only have 1" of space above mine, so I keep a fan blowing on it at all times that it's on and it stays quite cool. I didn't really expect the heat issue because people say Onkyo amps run hot and this doesn't have an amp but I guess it turns out that the Reon chip runs hot, too.

Despite the issue with the HD codecs (which I hope will be fixed soon), I would get this unit again just for the improvement in video quality, if nothing else. Everything else on the unit has worked flawlessly and it's easy to setup and use.

 

[adk highlander]

Dave,

What players have you tried? I didn't know you had this issue. I have the Samsung 1400 and use bitstream and I am able to decode with out any issues. That does stink. Please let us know how this turns out.

 

[WINGNUT4772]

I just picked up a 9.8 and it will be coming next week. It is replacing a Pioneer Elite 82txs. I am curious to see how the SQ compares. How do you like the SQ so far?