Integra avr's any thoughts? - Blu-ray Forum

walmat · 12-08-2011, 06:30 AM

I just spoke to my local dealer and he suggested as a possible amp upgrade from my hk 254 to an Integre 30.3. It has the higher power output that I need and he'll give it to me for less than a harman 3600 which was my earlier consideration.
Any thoughts on this? Any Integra users out there?

lojack1976 · 12-08-2011, 07:04 AM

Have you listened and compared? That's the best way to make your assessment. They will have very different different sound characteristics, so you should definitely demo them both to determine which you prefer. Integra and Onkyo receivers sound nearly identical since the Integras are just better built versions of their Onkyo counterparts. I've owned both Harman and Onkyo receivers over the years and both are excellent brands, but like I said they sound very different. I'm not sure what your dealer is charging on the AVR-3600, but the prices online have come down considerably from the original MSRP. I would imagine its because Harman has released updated versions, but HERE is a very good price on the AVR-3600 should you decide to go with it over the Integra. The Integra can only be purchased from dealers so you will have to haggle wit your dealer over the price of that.

walmat · 12-08-2011, 02:58 PM

I posted the question because I can't demo the integra (has to be ordered). I'd be taking a chance so I'm looking for impressions.
Also I'm in Canada and US amazon won't ship large items to us here. The prices here for hk are still high.

HAMP · 12-08-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walmat

I posted the question because I can't demo the integra (has to be ordered). I'd be taking a chance so I'm looking for impressions.
Also I'm in Canada and US amazon won't ship large items to us here. The prices here for hk are still high.

Amazon doesn't sell Integra. it's only a dealer item. If you want to know how they sound, you can maybe find a store in your area that sells Onkyo. They are Identical audio wise.

Your interested in the Integra 30.3, I believe that’s the same as a Onkyo 609

Jamfan · 12-08-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

Your interested in the Integra 30.3, I believe that’s the same as a Onkyo 609

It's more like the 709, since 709 offers pre-outs.....

When my 606 kicks the bucket (starting to get no signal issue), i'll be looking at the 709 or 30.3........

callas01 · 12-08-2011, 04:34 PM

thats the weird thing, because the integra models and onkyo models aren't 1 for 1. There are things in my 40.2 that I see in the 800 line, but not in the 700 line.... its almost like the integras are a little more then the lower or "equal" onkyo.

I love my Integra, its rock solid, no issues and sound great.

HAMP · 12-08-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamfan

It's more like the 709, since 709 offers pre-outs.....

When my 606 kicks the bucket (starting to get no signal issue), i'll be looking at the 709 or 30.3........

From what I can tell the 30.3 is closer to the 609 except for pre-outs, everything else is about the same. They have the same power, which is the kicker for me.

For 40's are the like the 7??
the 50's are the like the 8??

then you get into the
70's which is like the 3???
80's which is the top 5???

davidp71 · 12-17-2011, 11:37 PM

I picked up the Integra 40.3 yesterday and right out of the box the sound quality was better than my Elite vsx-32. Haven't even ran Audyssey yet but will during the week. So far very happy. I picked up mine for close to 200 less than the msrp of 999.

davidp71 · 12-22-2011, 01:23 AM

Congrats walmat. Your gonna LOVE it. It's a great piece.

davidp71 · 12-22-2011, 11:33 PM

I ran Audyssey tonight and all was going well until it came time to measure the surround back L, when the sound was sent from the surround back L speaker it was still measuring the surround back R speaker and immediately gave me the speaker detection error, now I'm aggravated. It does this every time. My set up is 5.1, and my rear speakers are on each side of the couch mounted up on the wall.....any suggestions?...

callas01 · 12-23-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidp71

I ran Audyssey tonight and all was going well until it came time to measure the surround back L, when the sound was sent from the surround back L speaker it was still measuring the surround back R speaker and immediately gave me the speaker detection error, now I'm aggravated. It does this every time. My set up is 5.1, and my rear speakers are on each side of the couch mounted up on the wall.....any suggestions?...

thats really weird... maybe you need to exchange it for another one.

HAMP · 12-23-2011, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidp71

I ran Audyssey tonight and all was going well until it came time to measure the surround back L, when the sound was sent from the surround back L speaker it was still measuring the surround back R speaker and immediately gave me the speaker detection error, now I'm aggravated. It does this every time. My set up is 5.1, and my rear speakers are on each side of the couch mounted up on the wall.....any suggestions?...

I see you said 5.1 and surround backs. If you are only using a 5.1, use the surrounds, not the back surrounds.

Also, are those di-pole speakers? If so, did you switch the left and right speakers? That has nothing to do with your problem, it’s just part of using di-poles for the proper effect.

davidp71 · 12-23-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

I see you said 5.1 and surround backs. If you are only using a 5.1, use the surrounds, not the back surrounds.

Also, are those di-pole speakers? If so, did you switch the left and right speakers? That has nothing to do with your problem, it’s just part of using di-poles for the proper effect.

Thank you HAMP, I will change the speaker inputs on the receiver and re-run Audyssey. Keep you posted.

HAMP · 12-23-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidp71

Thank you HAMP, I will change the speaker inputs on the receiver and re-run Audyssey. Keep you posted.

I was wondering if it was a typo at first, but since you just confirmed it wasn't a typo Then by you switching it, you will be fine.

I don't think I said it, but congrats on a wonderful AVR man. Your gonna love the audio from the re-run with Audyessy.

davidp71 · 12-23-2011, 11:16 PM

Talked to my dealer who is the sales mgr and he said the same thing. With a 5.1 set up, use the surround R L, not surround back R L......now to re run Audyssey.

davidp71 · 12-24-2011, 12:36 AM

*UPDATE* I ran Audyssey and it worked and saved the settings with no problems whatsoever. I hear things from my speakers that I never heard when my Elite was hooked up. It also adjusted my sub to a nice tolerable level for my room without rattling everything in site. It also most certainly spiced up my surround speakers also. Now this receiver does more than kick ass......really enjoying it so far!.....

callas01 · 12-24-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidp71

*UPDATE* I ran Audyssey and it worked and saved the settings with no problems whatsoever. I hear things from my speakers that I never heard when my Elite was hooked up. It also adjusted my sub to a nice tolerable level for my room without rattling everything in site. It also most certainly spiced up my surround speakers also. Now this receiver does more than kick ass......really enjoying it so far!.....

Good thing hamp really read what you wrote, I didn't catch the surround BACK, well it didn't register with me.

Glad to hear the receiver is a joy for you. Congrats.

HAMP · 12-24-2011, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidp71

*UPDATE* I ran Audyssey and it worked and saved the settings with no problems whatsoever. I hear things from my speakers that I never heard when my Elite was hooked up. It also adjusted my sub to a nice tolerable level for my room without rattling everything in site. It also most certainly spiced up my surround speakers also. Now this receiver does more than kick ass......really enjoying it so far!.....

Nice to see it worked out for ya.

I guess you will do little tweaks here and there or are you totally satisfied with the results?

I was wondering, if those are di-pole you have as surrounds? and if they di-pole do you have the left on the right side and the right on the left side... lol

Or if they are di-pole only, then I don't think that makes a difference. That is only if they are di-pole bi-pole selectable.

davidp71 · 12-24-2011, 01:25 AM

Thanks Callas.....nice piece of equipment. Perfect match for my Paradigms.

davidp71 · 12-24-2011, 07:36 PM

I may do some little tweaks sometime in the near future but I do love the way it sounds now.

12-08-2011, 06:30 AM	#1
walmat Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:33 Blu-ray collection:147 DVD collection:53 Blu-ray reviews:11	Integra avr's any thoughts? I just spoke to my local dealer and he suggested as a possible amp upgrade from my hk 254 to an Integre 30.3. It has the higher power output that I need and he'll give it to me for less than a harman 3600 which was my earlier consideration. Any thoughts on this? Any Integra users out there?

12-08-2011, 07:04 AM	#2
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	Have you listened and compared? That's the best way to make your assessment. They will have very different different sound characteristics, so you should definitely demo them both to determine which you prefer. Integra and Onkyo receivers sound nearly identical since the Integras are just better built versions of their Onkyo counterparts. I've owned both Harman and Onkyo receivers over the years and both are excellent brands, but like I said they sound very different. I'm not sure what your dealer is charging on the AVR-3600, but the prices online have come down considerably from the original MSRP. I would imagine its because Harman has released updated versions, but HERE is a very good price on the AVR-3600 should you decide to go with it over the Integra. The Integra can only be purchased from dealers so you will have to haggle wit your dealer over the price of that.

12-08-2011, 02:58 PM	#3
walmat Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:33 Blu-ray collection:147 DVD collection:53 Blu-ray reviews:11	I posted the question because I can't demo the integra (has to be ordered). I'd be taking a chance so I'm looking for impressions. Also I'm in Canada and US amazon won't ship large items to us here. The prices here for hk are still high.

12-08-2011, 04:34 PM	#6
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	thats the weird thing, because the integra models and onkyo models aren't 1 for 1. There are things in my 40.2 that I see in the 800 line, but not in the 700 line.... its almost like the integras are a little more then the lower or "equal" onkyo. I love my Integra, its rock solid, no issues and sound great.

12-17-2011, 11:37 PM	#8
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	I picked up the Integra 40.3 yesterday and right out of the box the sound quality was better than my Elite vsx-32. Haven't even ran Audyssey yet but will during the week. So far very happy. I picked up mine for close to 200 less than the msrp of 999.

12-22-2011, 01:23 AM	#9
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	Congrats walmat. Your gonna LOVE it. It's a great piece.

12-22-2011, 11:33 PM	#10
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	I ran Audyssey tonight and all was going well until it came time to measure the surround back L, when the sound was sent from the surround back L speaker it was still measuring the surround back R speaker and immediately gave me the speaker detection error, now I'm aggravated. It does this every time. My set up is 5.1, and my rear speakers are on each side of the couch mounted up on the wall.....any suggestions?...

12-23-2011, 11:16 PM	#15
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	Talked to my dealer who is the sales mgr and he said the same thing. With a 5.1 set up, use the surround R L, not surround back R L......now to re run Audyssey.

12-24-2011, 12:36 AM	#16
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	UPDATE I ran Audyssey and it worked and saved the settings with no problems whatsoever. I hear things from my speakers that I never heard when my Elite was hooked up. It also adjusted my sub to a nice tolerable level for my room without rattling everything in site. It also most certainly spiced up my surround speakers also. Now this receiver does more than kick ass......really enjoying it so far!.....

12-24-2011, 01:25 AM	#19
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	Thanks Callas.....nice piece of equipment. Perfect match for my Paradigms.

12-24-2011, 07:36 PM	#20
davidp71 Active Member Member since:Feb 2010 Home Theater Gallery:19	I may do some little tweaks sometime in the near future but I do love the way it sounds now.

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