Separates vs A/V receiver

[Tee]

I'm a proud owner of a Integra DTC-9.8 as well, and i have to say Integra has a true winner on their hands. You get so much bang for your buck that it's hard not put Integra on your short list. Sure, there are other AVR’s with the same capabilities. However I see very few Pre/Pros just AVR’s with higher price tags than the Integra. I went in expecting high quality sound performance across the board and plenty of flexibility. I got more than I expected in spades, and the performance is what I anticipated from a product like this. I have had in my rack since last Aug, i got lucky to get one out of the first batch that were shipped. Once you mate it with a nice amp and a bitstreaming Blu-ray player you are in for a treat! Also the video processing you get with the built in Reon HQV vp is a great with SD/HDTV content.


Here are some reviews on the unit.


http://www.soundstageav.com/onhometheater/20071201.htm

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/proce...2-7.1-ssp.html

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/surroun...pro/index.html

http://www.hometheatermag.com/preamp...rs/508integra/

[Bigalsworth]

all I need to do is find a place to buy the Integra DTC 9.8 in Alberta Canada and I might be set.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by Bigalsworth

how do you like the integra DTC 9.8 it seems to be very popular and a good price I think?

I like it, but I can't say its an equal to the Lexicon, but then it was a fraction of the price so expecting so is unrealistic. Where I find the Lexicon better imo is in steering - I have yet to hear a processor with better steering than the Lexicon.

$/function the Integra is a true winner imo. If you do choose the DTC I think you will be very happy with it.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by werewuf

Why did you replace the Lexicon with the Integra?

The MC1 does not have HDMI inputs but can be modified for 8 channel analog inputs. I do not want to run lossless via the analog inputs so I had to swap out pre/pros....so if anyone wants an awesome pre/pro - click my sig! (shameless plug!!!)

[Josh]

The Marantz 8003 is on my wishlist, but with no immediate need for it, I'll probably get an amp first (not that I need the power - I just wants it).

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Josh

The Marantz 8003 is on my wishlist, but with no immediate need for it, I'll probably get an amp first (not that I need the power - I just wants it).

Assuming your AVR has pre-outs, this makes perfect sense since you can use the amp immediately vs. buying the pre/pro first and then having it sit until you purchase an amp.

Originally Posted by Bigalsworth

are sunfire products not sold in Canada? they don't have canada in their list of countries they sell in

Be brave and save yourself a ton of cash by picking one up on Audiogon. SS amps are fairly bulletproof, just buy from a reputable seller and take your time - there are plenty of Sunfires for sale.

[Tee]

just buy from a reputable seller and take your time - there are plenty of Sunfires for sale.

Great advise RUR, there are a lot good deals to be found on used amps. Audiogon is a great place to start, also check craigslist and ebay too.

[Tee]

I forgot about Videogon too.

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/fs.pl?amps

[welwynnick]

The other advantage of separates is that technology generally moves faster on the pre-pro side, and you’re less likely to upgrade a power amp. You can invest in a good one and stick with it. Separates give you more flexibility with upgrading, if you’re really interested in audio. Many people start by adding a power amp to a receiver, then replacing the receiver with a better pre-pro, etc.

Separate power amps are generally better at coping with difficult speakers – receivers are often poor at this. Separates don’t constrain you to high efficiency/impedance speakers, and the ultimate quality achievable is higher. In summary, separates suit the high end, and receivers suit the value end. Exactly where is the price/performance cross-over point, though?

People often go for AVRs because they’re faster to bring new technology to the market (HDMI, video switching, newer codecs, etc). Not saying that’s a good thing, but the Onkyo 9.8 / Integra 885 does seem to redress that balance. I’d be very interested to hear people’s impressions of those, compared to a corresponding receiver when used with a separate power amp.

Video Processors can do great things with interlaced video, but don’t look such great value compared with modern receivers, where development is amortised over greater volumes. They are difficult to integrate with receivers, as both generally want to be the controller/switcher, and can customise the settings to the source. Video processors are also behind the curve with HDMI implementation, so it’s often best to put them between the receiver and display. They are of little value if the source and display don’t interface in their native digital video format, such as 480i or 1080p

By the way, I think modern pre-pros are too big and have too many inputs; I don’t use 95% of mine. I think they should have say 4 HDMI inputs, then just one or two each of the legacy AV inputs.

Nick

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Tee

I'm a proud owner of a Integra DTC-9.8 as well, and i have to say Integra has a true winner on their hands. You get so much bang for your buck that it's hard not put Integra on your short list.

Quick question: does the DTC-9.8 have gold plated terminals? (I can't believe one has to ask that question in AV land. In stereo land it's a given that any half decent piece of kit will have gold plated terminals...)

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by werewuf

Century does have Integra, however the New Audible Difference in Palo Alto is a great store as well as Hermary's in San Carlos and Sound Perfection in Menlo Park. Don't like your 94?

Thanks for the list of shops, I will pay them a visit. About the 94, it's very good so when I get the amp I'll use it as pre/pro initially then move on to the Integra or others.

[werewuf]

Originally Posted by MatrixS2000

The MC1 does not have HDMI inputs but can be modified for 8 channel analog inputs. I do not want to run lossless via the analog inputs so I had to swap out pre/pros....so if anyone wants an awesome pre/pro - click my sig! (shameless plug!!!)

I'm a former Lexicon owner as well, (DC-1) and was curious. You got it right- no other unit on the market can beat Logic7's steering! There is no other way to get a real, immersive effect of being there audio-wise like Lexicon pre/pro's.
I down-sized because of the configuration of the house we bought, I liked showing gear off and I thought I had too much for this room (I had 4 Hafler XL-280's and the DC-1. Three of the amps ran 240w a side into 6 speakers, 1 bridged into 400w into my center channel plus two self powered 350w subs) now I am considering putting the power amp(s) in the basement as the speaker wires run hidden there anyway and just having the pre/pro in the rack.
The bummer is Lexicon is taking their sweet time with the new audio codecs, they are HDMI supportive, but do not have True HD or DTS HD MA I emailed and asked and their reply was that "blu players decode on-board and it wasn't necessary to have it in their units. Excuse me but what about supporting bitstreaming players? Dumb statement by dumb representative. They need to get up to speed. Until they do I'm not sure how I will upgrade.

[werewuf]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Thanks for the list of shops, I will pay them a visit. About the 94, it's very good so when I get the amp I'll use it as pre/pro initially then move on to the Integra or others.

Be careful, those stores are way too much fun!!!! A great place to go broke.

[Tee]

Originally Posted by richteer

Quick question: does the DTC-9.8 have gold plated terminals? (I can't believe one has to ask that question in AV land. In stereo land it's a given that any half decent piece of kit will have gold plated terminals...)

Yes it dose, click on the link for a hi-rez pic of the rear panel.

http://www.gspr.com/integra/images/dtc_98_rear_300.jpg

[werewuf]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Thanks for the list of shops, I will pay them a visit. About the 94, it's very good so when I get the amp I'll use it as pre/pro initially then move on to the Integra or others.

Mr. Vandelay, what power amp(s) are you interested in?

[musicman1999]

[QUOTE=RUR;807023]Assuming your AVR has pre-outs, this makes perfect sense since you can use the amp immediately vs. buying the pre/pro first and then having it sit until you purchase an amp.

You do not have to have it sit, if you have a receiver with multichannel inputs, buy a pre-pro and hook it into the multichannel input meaning you are using the receiver as an amp only. I am currently using an Anthem AVM-30 feeding a Cambridge Audio receiver. Adding a pre-pro makes a far bigger difference than just adding a power amp to a receiver and using the receiver as a processor. Works great.

bill

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by RUR

Wilson Audio Alexandrias, maybe.

Divorced so I'm only limited to my imagination....

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by werewuf

Mr. Vandelay, what power amp(s) are you interested in?

Parasound, B&K, Rotel and Sunfire. I'm looking for something like 7x200W. Do you have any recommendations for amps at about $3k?

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Parasound, B&K, Rotel and Sunfire. I'm looking for something like 7x200W. Do you have any recommendations for amps at about $3k?

Soon means sometime in June . Not 7x200W but

link : http://us.marantz.com/Products/2290.asp

[Betamax]

Ok, So here I am tearing down my entire setup because of a painting project and the arrival of my Pioneer tv. I have been using seperates for almost 10 years now and have decided to go the receiver route {having just picked up the Onkyo 905, still in the box}. I started with the Nakamichi Pre/Pro setup and then eventually upgraded the Pre to a Lexicon DC2. I decided to go with Def Techs instead of direct radiating speakers for my theater and I love the spread it gives. I am a littlce OCD when it comes to audio setup as I have been in the recording business for over 20 years. The problem I had was the room limitations and not being able to do any acoustic treatments thanks to the wife . I wound up buying an AudioControl 7.1 Equalizer and used that in the chain between the pre/pro, Made a difference in my rears but still not exactly what I wanted. I pulled that out and wond up using 3 stereo BBE's in its place. If you do not know what they are you REALLY need to demo them if you have seperates! An example of how they sound would be like removing a blanket from your speakers. Whisper dialog becomes much more audible and main dialog actually sounds like its in the room. These units are mostly used in studio racks and can be helpful during final mixes. They work great with seperates cause they work best after the preamp stage. I will eventually go with seperates again, but I figure the Onkyo will hold me over until I find the right combo again. Again, if you dont know about or have ever tried the BBE's in the chain, your really missing something special!