HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Doesn't seem to have room EQ either. Does have the TI Aureus DSP engine just like the Integra and NAD pre/pros.

I bet they don't sell too many of these. I view room EQ as a required item these days. Maybe they'll offer another higher priced one with that later on.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

I got my DTC-9.8 today and dropped it into my system.

Associated equipment:
DVD player: Oppo 980H (original firmware), connected with the stock HDMI cable provided by Oppo
Power amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand (5x200W)
Speakers: Magnepan 3.3R (front), MGCC1 (center), MG1.6QR (rear)
Projector: Optoma HD70 (firmware C.0.4), connected with a 25ft. Monoprice HDMI cable

Initial impressions:

Sound quality is pretty good, but just a hair short of the sound quality of the Theta CasaNova processor I had before. The sound seems more detailed and better defined. Issues with sub delay cleaned up markedly. However, the midrange isn't quite as smooth and lifelike as on the Theta. The overall tonal balance is slightly brighter. This difference is most pronounced when listening to CDs; high-definition audio formats (SACD, DVD-A) are better. Perhaps the analog electronics or low-pass filtering for 44.1/16 isn't as good as what's implemented on the Theta?

HDMI has been very finicky. There were problems with the HDMI handshake not completing ("HDMI" flashing on the Integra DTC-9.8 display indefinitely). After about an hour of playing with DVD player HDMI audio settings and the Integra's HDMI settings, I kept having the problem until I powered everything down, disconnected the projector, and then powered everything back up (projector still disconnected). Then I put the projector back in the mix and things still seemed to work. At this point, I'm not sure if the HDMI handshake problems will return.

The settings that ultimately worked:
Oppo 980H: Set HDMI audio output to "Auto," and "Raw" bitstream instead of LPCM
Integra DTC-9.8: Enable HDMI monitor out jacks, disable HDMI audio on monitor output, set Reon configuration to pass-through mode, disable "immediate" OSD

The HDMI handshake problem was intractable when I tried to set the Reon to 720p or 1080p. Things seemed to improve when I went to pass-through mode. I didn't enable xvYCC color or any other non-default HDMI settings.

I also experienced an intermittent problem with audio distortion when playing an HDCD-encoded CD. This problem didn't happen with a regular non-HDCD-encoded CD or any high-resolution audio formats (DVD-A, SACD). Again, a complete power-down of the Oppo 980H and Integra DTC-9.8 seemed to clear things up. I'm not sure if the bug lies in the Oppo or the Integra.

There is a new beta firmware out for the Oppo, and I read a newer firmware exists for my projector. Unfortunately, I would have to send the projector in for service to get the firmware update (it isn't user-upgradeable). Once the beta firmware for the Oppo goes "gold," I will upgrade it to see if that makes a difference with some of these HDMI / audio glitches. (Oppo's site makes no mention of fixing audio distortion or HDMI handshake problems in their firmware update.)

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Colin- Are you passing DSD or PCM between then 980H and 9.8 for SACD? Wasn't clear. And are you using Audyssey? Thoughts?

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Kevin -

I am passing a native DSD bitstream from the Oppo 980H to the Integra DTC-9.8.

As for Audyssey, I couldn't use it. It doesn't like my center speaker and just says "retry." I tried running the process a few times but couldn't get past the center speaker. My center (Magnepan MGCC1) is a bandwidth-limited speaker (160Hz-20KHz +/- 3dB), so I suspect Audyssey didn't know what to do about the serious lack of bass in this speaker, and mistakenly thought the speaker didn't exist.

So I grabbed a tape measure and make speaker distance measurements manually. I am not doing any sort of EQ just yet.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

NAD and B&K who both offered up a new pre pro at Cedia won't do those either.

The only one noteworthy is the Integra.

I wonder if the 9.8 will display video to 2 different HDMI sources at the same time. It has 2 outs. I've heard the 905 won't do it so I'm hesitant to think the 9.8 will since it's based on the 905.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Shane,

The 9.8 will not ouput video to two different displays at once, i wish it could but its no biggie. I just switch between the "Main" & "Sub" ouputs to take care of that.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

I'm in queue to test out the NAD T175 once it hits early October at my local audio shop. I don't currently have a HDMI compliant display, so I want to test to see if the NAD can put component out and use HDMI as an audio only. Too bad my PS3 didn't have regular analog 5.1 out.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Leo- Let us know. Probably a bunch of people like me out there who want to see reports (and comparisons) of both the Integra and NAD before we jump.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

I have a 9.8 on order, but it most likely won't be in until mid October or so.

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Don't forget the Onkyo Professional PR-SC885P twin with a twist, it also has Pure Audio, and a much cleaner faceplate, can be haggled down to sub-Yamaha prices:

http://www.onkyopro.com/model.cfm?m=...eamplifier&p=i

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

Bob:

What do think of the Onkyo Pro TX-SR705P for a receiver?

Re: HDMI 1.3 pre-pro?

A follow-up on some things related to the Integra 9.8...

- I got rid of most of the HDMI handshake issues by setting all sources to output 720p, and have the 9.8 pass through all sources as-is (no Reon upconversion or processing). Occasionally I could get a Blu-Ray player (Panasonic DMP-BD30K) to handshake to 1080p output, but that was flakier than 720p. I'm not sure if it's the processor or the HDMI cable (a 30' Monoprice cable) going from the processor to the projector. Since the projector I'm using is a 720p model, I just left everything at 720p for now.
- If HDMI didn't lock on, I could often get it to reconnect by power-cycling the Integra 9.8. When powered up, the 9.8 produces an "Integra" splash screen at 480p resolution. Then it changes video modes to whatever the source requires.
- My processor came with firmware 1.02. Last night, I updated the main firmware to 1.05. I haven't done the DSP update yet. The 1.05 firmware didn't seem to change the HDMI handshake behavior (it's not any faster or more reliable than with 1.02).
- If the DSP update goes well, I'll then take the main system firmware up to the most current version (1.08).
- Over at AVSForum, there are rumors of hardware updates for the 9.8, particularly the HDMI chipset. The dealer where I bought the pre-pro wasn't aware of any hardware service bulletins for the 9.8 a few months ago. Maybe I'll ask them again tomorrow.