paging Seth and Peng......

[ned]

I need your opinion on choosing my next audio gear.

1. Denon 5308CI
-has Realta processor (although poorly implemented)
-has better implementation of Audyssey Multx (dynamic eq)
-lower wpc (although I can biamped the R/L main)

2. Integra DTC 9.8 + Emotiva XPA-5
-more power

 

[Seth=L]

Integra DTC 9.8/Emotiva XPA-5 certainly has the edge in power and scaling. The Emotiva should be better equipped to handle the speakers, though I am sure the Denon would do fine. The Denon adds the convenience of being in one piece of equipment, which certainly has value.

You could throw the Yamaha RX-Z11 in for consideration. From my understanding it's scaler performance is top notch. Where did you hear/read the Denon's scaler wasn't implemented well?

IMO, you should wait for the new Emotiva pre/pros to come out.

 

[speakerman39]

Integra DTC 9.8/Emotiva XPA-5 certainly has the edge in power and scaling. The Emotiva should be better equipped to handle the speakers, though I am sure the Denon would do fine. The Denon adds the convenience of being in one piece of equipment, which certainly has value.

You could throw the Yamaha RX-Z11 in for consideration. From my understanding it's scaler performance is top notch. Where did you hear/read the Denon's scaler wasn't implemented well?

IMO, you should wait for the new Emotiva pre/pros to come out.

Hey Seth once again very good advice. I believe Outlaw also has something in the works. Just ordered a LFM-1Plus myself.

 

[GlocksRock]

I too would say option #2.

 

[Warpdrv]

Separates is the way to go....

A seperate amp will give you a much cleaner, more solid dedicated power supply, and you got one of the best processors on the market with the Integra...


IMO the Denon is a great unit, but if you can go seperates, you will be far better off in the long run being able to change out seperates when you deem it necessary, instead of being stuck with a single unit...

The Amp section in the Denon is nice, but not nearly as nice as a completely dedicated amp.... You will be much happier in the end with that descision...

 

[PENG]

I need your opinion on choosing my next audio gear.

1. Denon 5308CI
-has Realta processor (although poorly implemented)
-has better implementation of Audyssey Multx (dynamic eq)
-lower wpc (although I can biamped the R/L main)

2. Integra DTC 9.8 + Emotiva XPA-5
-more power

If you don't need the extra features of the Denon then the Integra is the way to go. On the amp side, I have no opinion of the XPA-5. I read good things about it on this forum, but for a little more money I would stick with tried- and-true amps from Parasound, Adcom, NAD, Outlaws, Marantz, Rotel or the more expensive (you can go the used route to say within the same price bracket) Bryston, Sunfire etc.

I don't need the latest greatest video features so I ordered the 4308 and will use it as prepro for the FL&R channels.

 

[ned]

Thanks for all your reply.

The thing is I probably want the Dynamic EQ which is not implement in the Audyssey version of Integra and of course Realta is much superior than Reon in Integra. Of course the trade off here is more power with separates although I'm not sure if it would make any audible difference).

The Realta in Denon does not have enough choices to tweak the video.

I hate cables so the separates would need quite a few XLR/RCA.

Emotiva's upcoming UMC-1 does not suppot Audessy and am not familiar with their VP chip.

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks for all your reply.

The thing is I probably want the Dynamic EQ which is not implement in the Audyssey version of Integra and of course Realta is much superior than Reon in Integra. Of course the trade off here is more power with separates although I'm not sure if it would make any audible difference).

The Realta in Denon does not have enough choices to tweak the video.

I hate cables so the separates would need quite a few XLR/RCA.

Emotiva's upcoming UMC-1 does not suppot Audessy and am not familiar with their VP chip.

ned, I have to commend you for ascertaining all of the info you can so as to make a well informed decision. To me, this is a BIG part of what makes this hobby so much fun. That is, the "HUNT" or the drive to obtain the best sounding/performing gear we can within our respective budgets. Guys like Seth, Peng, warp, mazer, glocks, and etc. have all helped me out on many occasions. Kudos to you my friend!!!!!!

 

[PENG]

If you do need the Realta and hate cables, then surely the 5308 is the better choice. With 88 dB/W/M sensitivity and 3.4 ohms minimum impedance at 300 Hz, the RBH towers may (can't be 100% sure without all the specs) not be too difficult to drive. After all you do have the flexibility to add an 2 channel amp to take care of the front towers, should it become necessary for whatever reasons.

 

[satish536]

I need your opinion on choosing my next audio gear.

1. Denon 5308CI
-has Realta processor (although poorly implemented)
-has better implementation of Audyssey Multx (dynamic eq)
-lower wpc (although I can biamped the R/L main)

2. Integra DTC 9.8 + Emotiva XPA-5
-more power

great choice on the speakers ....... post a review once your all set up.

Also i vote on getting the xpa-5. Your rbh speakers will love the power(why buy such expensive speakers and not give them adequate power)A power amplifier is always in a different league, the most subtle details will become obvious and bass will be punchier with all that headroom.

 

[AVRat]

That’s a tough choice, but I think I’d go with option 2.

Been reading through the Marantz AV-8003 pre/pro manual and I’m a little disappointed about its capabilities based on the price difference from the Onkyo/Integra pre/pros. I’m looking to go back to separates for my next upgrade so I’m keeping my options open at this point in time.

 

[ned]

That’s a tough choice, but I think I’d go with option 2.

Been reading through the Marantz AV-8003 pre/pro manual and I’m a little disappointed about its capabilities based on the price difference from the Onkyo/Integra pre/pros. I’m looking to go back to separates for my next upgrade so I’m keeping my options open at this point in time.

I couldn't find Audyssey in the specs for marantz or the type of video processor.

 

[ned]

If you don't need the extra features of the Denon then the Integra is the way to go. On the amp side, I have no opinion of the XPA-5. I read good things about it on this forum, but for a little more money I would stick with tried- and-true amps from Parasound, Adcom, NAD, Outlaws, Marantz, Rotel or the more expensive (you can go the used route to say within the same price bracket) Bryston, Sunfire etc.

I don't need the latest greatest video features so I ordered the 4308 and will use it as prepro for the FL&R channels.

I'm considering Sunfire TGA7200.

 

[ned]

Alright here are the final choices for the amps: Rotel RMB 1095, NAD M25, MPS-2.

Not sure about Sunfire seems it's unusual design have some commenting coloring the sound (tube like).

As for the processor/receiver I would probably wait till Cedia.

 

[ned]

Well, believe it or not I got a Sunfire TGA 5200 which is comparable in power among the amps listed.

As for the pre/pro I'm waiting for Sherwood for their Trinnov or the Integra 9.9 with dynamic eq.

Already I'm hearing the significant difference in power. I'm now guessing if the the TGA 5400 would have been better choice

 

[ned]

My mains are still "harsh" and I hope Audyssey or Trinnov would help in this regards. I've tested Dave Mathews in Dolby True HD so far and the strumming of the guitar and his voice sounds quite "piercing" while Chris Boti's 5.1 LPCM trumpet's and AIX Recordings' Sampler 2 DVD-A/DVD-Video sounds amazing.

 

[trnqk7]

That's more likely just the quality of the mastered recording and the fact that your speakers are brutally honest about the source material. Using Audyssey or Trinnov to "fix" one problem will just muddy up the sound that you already think sounds good IMO. In general, read "harsh" as accurate as you seem to be concerned about upper frequencies.

My guess is that it is just the way the material was recorded and you have a system good enough to expose those flaws. Pop music (i.e. DMB) is generally compressed to one very loud volume level-perhaps the harshness you are hearing.

 

[jcPanny]

A/V seperates

FYI,
You can pick up a component video + stereo audio cable (with 5 RCAs on each end) to connect all the channels from your pre-amp to the amp with a single cable.

Another advantage to seperates is that you can upgrade the pre-amp for new audio or video processing and you still have a good amplifier.

 

[ned]

That's more likely just the quality of the mastered recording and the fact that your speakers are brutally honest about the source material. Using Audyssey or Trinnov to "fix" one problem will just muddy up the sound that you already think sounds good IMO. In general, read "harsh" as accurate as you seem to be concerned about upper frequencies.

My guess is that it is just the way the material was recorded and you have a system good enough to expose those flaws. Pop music (i.e. DMB) is generally compressed to one very loud volume level-perhaps the harshness you are hearing.

You could be right. However in this days of raving reviews it's hard hard to find true nature of a particular recording.

 

[ned]

FYI,
You can pick up a component video + stereo audio cable (with 5 RCAs on each end) to connect all the channels from your pre-amp to the amp with a single cable.

Another advantage to seperates is that you can upgrade the pre-amp for new audio or video processing and you still have a good amplifier.

That's a good idea. I've a bunch of component cables laying around that I'm using right now.