Integra 40.3 paired with an XPA-5 Impressions

[b00st]

All I can say is WOW!

I had a Yamaha RXV1800 as my pre/pro...weighs a ton more than my integra 40.3. I was impressed when i got my EMO XPA-5 with the RXV1800...but it was more like i was impressed with the power than sound quality. though I do believe it upped the quality a little bit....opened up the sound stage.
Yamaha uses a Burr-Brown 192kHz/24bit Dacs on the main zone and pure direct for main channels and video processing via TCM...whatever that is. The 40.3 uses I believe a slightly more upgraded burr-brown 192kHz/24bit(PCM 1690) audio DAC and Marvell Kyoto G2

Some nice upgrades over the 40.2 are the 40.3 has 1.4a compatibility. 40.2 is 1.3a combined with DCDi video processor, video has the OPPO 93 video scaler (Marvell Kyoto G2) and I think most importantly the Audyssey MultEQ XT. 40.2 has MultEQ.

Let me say having used Yamaha for the last 18yrs and then YPAO when it first hit....Audyssey is 10x better than YPAO ever could be. My sound stage after MultEQ XT room correction and Dynamic EQ are truly awesome. My in-walls polks now sound more amazing than ever. It was a night and day difference.

Also love the OSD on there....very nice display...just nicer looking over the brother ONKYO. But all the things I wanted. The price was just hard to beat for the features. Combined now with the XPA for power....its truly something to hear. A once canned setup...now sounds like everything is amazing! Video processor that came from the oppo93 so you can't complain if they hold the oppo in high regard to video processing....this is a nice answer. There are still a ton of things to do with this as the menus are deep....calibration is per each input. So far its been great and there is still so much more to tap into...I do have the network setup but haven't streamed music yet...its nice to display album art and such. Pandora and all those other iRadio setups. Over the next few days I will be drilling more into each menu for perfect setup.

[Adam.C]

Congrats man!!!

I usually hear nothing but good things about the Integra line. I'm sure the combo with the XPA-5 sounds blissful

[callas01]

Originally Posted by b00st

All I can say is WOW!

I had a Yamaha RXV1800 as my pre/pro...weighs a ton more than my integra 40.3. I was impressed when i got my EMO XPA-5 with the RXV1800...but it was more like i was impressed with the power than sound quality. though I do believe it upped the quality a little bit....opened up the sound stage.
Yamaha uses a Burr-Brown 192kHz/24bit Dacs on the main zone and pure direct for main channels and video processing via TCM...whatever that is. The 40.3 uses I believe a slightly more upgraded burr-brown 192kHz/24bit(PCM 1690) audio DAC and Marvell Kyoto G2

Some nice upgrades over the 40.2 are the 40.3 has 1.4a compatibility. 40.2 is 1.3a combined with DCDi video processor, video has the OPPO 93 video scaler (Marvell Kyoto G2) and I think most importantly the Audyssey MultEQ XT. 40.2 has MultEQ.

Let me say having used Yamaha for the last 18yrs and then YPAO when it first hit....Audyssey is 10x better than YPAO ever could be. My sound stage after MultEQ XT room correction and Dynamic EQ are truly awesome. My in-walls polks now sound more amazing than ever. It was a night and day difference.

Also love the OSD on there....very nice display...just nicer looking over the brother ONKYO. But all the things I wanted. The price was just hard to beat for the features. Combined now with the XPA for power....its truly something to hear. A once canned setup...now sounds like everything is amazing! Video processor that came from the oppo93 so you can't complain if they hold the oppo in high regard to video processing....this is a nice answer. There are still a ton of things to do with this as the menus are deep....calibration is per each input. So far its been great and there is still so much more to tap into...I do have the network setup but haven't streamed music yet...its nice to display album art and such. Pandora and all those other iRadio setups. Over the next few days I will be drilling more into each menu for perfect setup.

Congrats, and just one thing you should know, the 40.2 also has the HDMI v1.4a (3D support, Audio Return Channel) feature.

Otherwise, yes, the Integra is a really nice receiver and I love mine too.

[b00st]

Originally Posted by callas01

Congrats, and just one thing you should know, the 40.2 also has the HDMI v1.4a (3D support, Audio Return Channel) feature.

Otherwise, yes, the Integra is a really nice receiver and I love mine too.

you are right it sure does. my bad.

i was amazed at the sound using multeq xt + XPA 5 + Dynamic EQ....its truly an awesome combo. my entire sound stage sounded flat prior to audyssey. i did a lil tweaking to the multeq.

when i first was running audyssey...it was registering my subs at 98db...it says turn it down to 75db. this is basically keeping my subs at 9 o'clock on the gain. it minused it down to -15db on the receiver. is i made a lil adjustment...-7db. gains are maybe at 10 o'clock. i like it to rumble a lil more...

but it nailed everything....this receiver truly brought out the best of my XPA-5. i know it has power and it could get loud...but there is also a balance. YPAO could never really do it....i always felt it lacking....and it was noticed immediately once i plugged in the integra and turned it to my normal listening levels with dynamic eq....makes a world of difference.

still messing around with the video scaling. for cable TV i have it upscale everthing to 1080p. the 1080i to 1080p you can notice a lil more detail. all other inputs are run on pass-through. i love my yammy...but i love this one much more. the yammy delivers solid power to all channels driven...109w/ch. so it wasn't bad...but i just knew that it couldn't EQ the setup right.

i only used 5 seat positions of 8 from audyssey. its a smaller unit, the integra, the yammy didn't quit fit on my shelf...this one has plenty room to spare...easier to move...all in all...just a great unit. very very pleased with this....especially combined with my XPA-5. now my system has come alive...including the subs...its re.dic.u.lous!

[b00st]

apparently my wife has lost our digi camera...otherwise i'd have pics of the new setup and such. i guess its time for another upgrade of equipment!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by b00st

you are right it sure does. my bad.

i was amazed at the sound using multeq xt + XPA 5 + Dynamic EQ....its truly an awesome combo. my entire sound stage sounded flat prior to audyssey. i did a lil tweaking to the multeq.

when i first was running audyssey...it was registering my subs at 98db...it says turn it down to 75db. this is basically keeping my subs at 9 o'clock on the gain. it minused it down to -15db on the receiver. is i made a lil adjustment...-7db. gains are maybe at 10 o'clock. i like it to rumble a lil more...

but it nailed everything....this receiver truly brought out the best of my XPA-5. i know it has power and it could get loud...but there is also a balance. YPAO could never really do it....i always felt it lacking....and it was noticed immediately once i plugged in the integra and turned it to my normal listening levels with dynamic eq....makes a world of difference.

still messing around with the video scaling. for cable TV i have it upscale everthing to 1080p. the 1080i to 1080p you can notice a lil more detail. all other inputs are run on pass-through. i love my yammy...but i love this one much more. the yammy delivers solid power to all channels driven...109w/ch. so it wasn't bad...but i just knew that it couldn't EQ the setup right.

i only used 5 seat positions of 8 from audyssey. its a smaller unit, the integra, the yammy didn't quit fit on my shelf...this one has plenty room to spare...easier to move...all in all...just a great unit. very very pleased with this....especially combined with my XPA-5. now my system has come alive...including the subs...its re.dic.u.lous!

I haven't used the upscaling feature on my receiver, I can say that the receiver alone has good power and powers my Dynaudio speakers very well. Eventually I would like to get an Integrated amp, probably a Naim Nait 5i or UnitiQute. Congrats, Integra is really a great piece of equipment, and Im happy to have mine, as I can tell you are to have yours.

[Miker107]

Congrats boost, I love my 40.3 too. I used 6 out of the 8 seating positions in audyssey and it made all the difference. My Energy's sound so clean and detailed now it's amazing...

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Congrats boost, I love my 40.3 too. I used 6 out of the 8 seating positions in audyssey and it made all the difference. My Energy's sound so clean and detailed now it's amazing...

You really should use all 8... I was told that it really helps tune it to perfection.

This is how I do mine (Assume 1, 2, 3 are on the couch/primary seating area).

2...1...3
..5...4..
8...7...6

Audyssey Pro is a whole different beast. My Onkyo Pro supports it and I could get used Pro kits for as low as $200-250, but that is a lot of dough to drop. However, I heard it is VERY worth it only if you have an acoustically treated room, especially if all 32 positions are used.

[roar]

I imagine that is a great combo... I wish they'd bring spotify to the .2 line. I enjoy my 80.2 and XPA5 a whole lot.

[eco10530]

Originally Posted by Hammie

You really should use all 8... I was told that it really helps tune it to perfection.

This is how I do mine (Assume 1, 2, 3 are on the couch/primary seating area).

2...1...3
..5...4..
8...7...6

Audyssey Pro is a whole different beast. My Onkyo Pro supports it and I could get used Pro kits for as low as $200-250, but that is a lot of dough to drop. However, I heard it is VERY worth it only if you have an acoustically treated room, especially if all 32 positions are used.

I only have 3 seating positions, where would I position the setup mic for the remaining 5 positions???

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by eco10530

I only have 3 seating positions, where would I position the setup mic for the remaining 5 positions???

I think it depends on each persons room size and configuration. For example, my HT room is in a very small 10 x 11 spare bedroom, and my seating is actually a small single bed (for now) pushed up against the back wall. I only have space to run 6 positions in my situation, 3 on the bed, and 3 in front of the bed. I have no more room behind me and if I run 2 more I'll be right in front of the TV screen. I've been running 6 positions, but if there is an audyssey guru out there that can tell me where else I can put another couple of positions I'll gladly run 8.

[sandman922]

Originally Posted by Miker107

I think it depends on each persons room size and configuration. For example, my HT room is in a very small 10 x 11 spare bedroom, and my seating is actually a small single bed (for now) pushed up against the back wall. I only have space to run 6 positions in my situation, 3 on the bed, and 3 in front of the bed. I have no more room behind me and if I run 2 more I'll be right in front of the TV screen. I've been running 6 positions, but if there is an audyssey guru out there that can tell me where else I can put another couple of positions I'll gladly run 8.

you have the room put the mic in the primary seating area then a foot or so to the right of the primary seating area then a foot or so left of the primary seating area then a foot or so in front of the 3rd location then to the right wich would be directly in front of the primary seating area then a foot or so to the right the behind the primary seating area a foot or so in between the 1st and 3rd location then a foot or so to the right and your done i would show you a diagram but im on my ps3

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by sandman922

you have the room put the mic in the primary seating area then a foot or so to the right of the primary seating area then a foot or so left of the primary seating area then a foot or so in front of the 3rd location then to the right wich would be directly in front of the primary seating area then a foot or so to the right the behind the primary seating area a foot or so in between the 1st and 3rd location then a foot or so to the right and your done i would show you a diagram but im on my ps3

Thanks Sandman, I will try that. I was thinking literal seating positions and not so compact, but that is a good idea. I will try that this evening after I get my new surrounds in. Thanks for the tip.

[sandman922]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Thanks Sandman, I will try that. I was thinking literal seating positions and not so compact, but that is a good idea. I will try that this evening after I get my new surrounds in. Thanks for the tip.

if you have a camera tripod or a mic stand it helps the process, i use a camera tripod the mic screws right onto it then adjust it so its at ear level when your sitting you can set it right onto a couch or chair and extend the legs and set it on the floor using all 8 positions helps you get your best sound .
let us know how it turns out

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by sandman922

if you have a camera tripod or a mic stand it helps the process, i use a camera tripod the mic screws right onto it then adjust it so its at ear level when your sitting you can set it right onto a couch or chair and extend the legs and set it on the floor using all 8 positions helps you get your best sound .
let us know how it turns out

Worked like a charm sandman, and yes I have been using a couple of tripods. I have a small camera tripod that I've been using to place on the bed, and another larger video camera tripod that I use in front of the bed that has a long extension bar on it so that it can be raised up to ear level. The problem is I've been using only 6 positions.
The 8 positions definitely made a difference. Everything sounds well balanced and linear across the frequency range, and volume levels between each speaker seems to be better matched as well. Thanks again for the help.

[sandman922]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Worked like a charm sandman, and yes I have been using a couple of tripods. I have a small camera tripod that I've been using to place on the bed, and another larger video camera tripod that I use in front of the bed that has a long extension bar on it so that it can be raised up to ear level. The problem is I've been using only 6 positions.
The 8 positions definitely made a difference. Everything sounds well balanced and linear across the frequency range, and volume levels between each speaker seems to be better matched as well. Thanks again for the help.

glad to be able to help enjoy that new sub this week and merry christmas !

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by sandman922

glad to be able to help enjoy that new sub this week and merry christmas !

Thanks, you have a Merry Christmas as well!