Integra

[Adam]

I'm sorry to read about all of your troubles on this, Dave. To have something that was supposed to be a treat for you turn into this hassle is very disappointing.

Thanks for the support, guys. This is the only place I can rant because my family and friends just don't understand what if means to me not to have my system up and running. They don't have the disease.

Yeah, but I bet that they can relate to how it feels to get the shaft. Forget about the specifics - you are getting the run-around, and no one likes that.

 

[Davemcc]

you are getting the run-around, and no one likes that.

I'm not really getting a run-around. I'm getting the absolute bare minimum required under the warranty. The fact that I sit here for months without the use of the premium product I paid for is inconsequential to them while they go through the motions of providing that bare minimum of service. It's not that they aren't doing what's required but they certainly aren't going about with any haste or concern for the consequences.

 

[sharkman]

I happened across this thread, and am sad to hear about the lack of service this company is capable of offering since I recently purchased an onkyo 876.

One thing I remember reading about the integra 9.8 is that to bring it to market at such a low price, they had to make some trade offs, and one such was the components that handle analog audio. I hadn't heard if the 9.9, being more expensive, included improvements in this area, but that might be a plus in it's favour.

Dave, I know this wait must be really a bad experience for you(I had a projector that needed warranty service - in JAPAN!), but if I had the chance to upgrade for $200, I would have jumped at it. I think the store you are dealing with is actually giving you a decent offer for the following reasons.

The 9.8 has been replaced by the 9.9 as you know, and they are obviously having a hard time securing one for you. Also, the 9.8 had some issues that would have been addressed in the 9.9(bitstream bomb, audio switching/lipsync delays). That's why I got the onkyo 876, because I knew Onkyo/Integra don't have the best service, and the 875 had possible issues.

If I were you, I'd go to the dealer you're dealing with, and say you'd be willing to get the 9.9 for $200 if they promise a no hassle exchange for another 9.9 should you encounter any problems.

You've been beyond patient, and I know Integra's name is mud at this point, but this may be the best option besides waiting another month or two.

 

[jostenmeat]

I agree sharkman. There's no excuse for Dave to be treated this way be either Integra, and IMO, or his dealer for not at least offering a "crutch" for the meanwhile.

However, I've already mentioned one of the main differences from the 9.8 to 9.9, and that's the Audyssey Dynamic Volume & EQ. As he listens in a living room, not a large dedicated HT, its possible that this newfangled tech could be his very favorite thing about the 9.9. Doesn't come with the 9.8.

I say go for the upgrade as well. He shouldn't HAVE to do this, but between attempting to get away from this situation, and gaining a particular feature set (which might well become very useful) that does separate the 9.9 from the 9.8, I think this advice is good advice.

 

[sharkman]

After I posted, I read up a little on the 9.8/9.9, and another new feature is ISFccc Video Calibration Capabilities, while the 9.8 had some color issues in upscaling sd material.

But it's awfully easy to spend other people's money. I should be a politician!

 

[Davemcc]

In normal circumstances, I probably would have done the upgrade to the 9.9. The biggest obstacle is that I'm currently on notice of layoff and I don't really want to spend the money right now. I don't really think that I'll be losing my job any time soon but I am keeping a watch on the budget just in case. The new features on the 9.9 might be nice but the 9.8 really does everything I need it to do.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Except play music and movies....

The new features on the 9.9 might be nice but the 9.8 really does everything I need it to do.

 

[Davemcc]

I finally broke down and asked my dealer if the deal on the 9.9 is still on the table. My wife is very upset that she can't use the system to watch her shows, so I need to get something going on here. I don't have an answer yet.

 

[Alex2507]

I thought you could hook up some old gear but it was a pain in the knees to do so. I hate to see them goat rope you into giving them another nickle. If I had my passport I'd swing by on the way to my father's and do it for you.

 

[billy p]

I thought you could hook up some old gear but it was a pain in the knees to do so. I hate to see them goat rope you into giving them another nickle. If I had my passport I'd swing by on the way to my father's and do it for you.

We better tip off customs that your coming this way! We Canadians usually take a more proactive stance on who enters our country, especially if someone alias is "pork chop" . BTW I agree with you because that puts the dealer is in the driver seat and that would piss me off!

 

[Alex2507]

We better tip off customs that your coming this way!

Fantastic, it'll be a welcome home party. Dave has promised to bake a cake, you can bring rye and I of course will bring pork chops. The boys at the border could detain some peelers to accompany us. We could help fund their post graduate studies in primate debauchery.

 

[Alex2507]

Except play music and movies....

I just caught this.

How incredibly insensitive. I'm impressed.

 

[OttoMatic]

Wow, this sucks. I almost bought a 9.8, but decided not to based on the technical issues in the thread at AVS. I also though about "upgrading" to the Cary Cinema 11a (I have the original C11), but didn't. It finally got released, and while it generally works, there are myriad firmware bugs, as discussed at AVS.

This is the main reason that I have no need for audio over HDMI (it seems to work OK for the most part for me with video), and I encourage others to also consider if they need such headaches. I'm also skeptical about the actual improvement in audio quality over HDMI, and have come to realize that it's virtually impossible to do a head-to-head comparison with lossless and lossy codecs. Therefore, I consider most claims of a vast improvement when using lossless audio via HDMI to be purely anecdotal and unbiased.

I know it's supposed the latest and greatest thing, but what a pain!

Good luck with your 9.8, man.

 

[Davemcc]

Fantastic, it'll be a welcome home party. Dave has promised to bake a cake, you can bring rye and I of course will bring pork chops. The boys at the border could detain some peelers to accompany us. We could help fund their post graduate studies in primate debauchery.

Let's see, we've got cake, booze, meat, strippers and monkeys. All we need now is a couple of midgets and we've got ourselves a party!!!

 

[Davemcc]

My dealer called to say that I can pick up my replacement unit tomorrow. My ordeal is almost over. It's been one heck of an experience just to see TrueHD or DTS-MA show up on the front display.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Hope this concludes this chapter in your audio life, Dave. I'm with you on the whole hidef codec thing and opted out on the receiver side........and now my blu ray player has a bug or summat so I am really not into the hidef codec conga line. Hope this one works out for ya buddy!

 

[Rickster71]

Glad to hear your ordeal is almost over.
Let us know what you think after you set it up.

Good Luck,
Rick

 

[rmk]

Hi Dave,

Sorry to hear of your troubles with Integra/Onkyo. I have had the 9.8 running flawlessly in my system for 18 months now and I even did the "unauthorized" firmware upgrade as offered on the thread on AVS with no issues. It is one of the best components I have owned and I would not trade it for any other SSP regardless of price.

All who enjoy this hobby have their issues with manufacturers or dealers at some point. I had a bad situation with Sony and found their Customer Service to be not just bad but essentially non-existent.

Back to the 9.8/9.9, I have found a clearly audible difference by using the uncompressed audio codex's over HDMI. The DTS HDMA tracks are particularly clean and dynamic and you are going to dig em.

So you've made it over the hump and hopefully will now get to enjoy (like I have) the great full featured SSP that you purchased for a long and trouble free life (on until upgradeitis kicks in).

Best of luck to you!

 

[Davemcc]

Thanks guys. I have the unit at home now. If my aching back will cooperate, I'll set it up tonight.

 

[Alex2507]

Thanks guys. I have the unit at home now. If my aching back will cooperate, I'll set it up tonight.

Put the beers back in the fridge and break out the rye.
That will make your back feel better.