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Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

#61
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2/25/08 at 8:26am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gustavo Menendez
The Integra DTC-9.8 might need a firmware update at least up to version 1.05
If it is a new unit within two months it should be ready for "Audyssey MultEQ Professional." Yes, each processor be it Integra, Onkyo, or whatever, requires a $150.00 license. The only unit that does not require a license is their Separate Unit ($2,500.00) separates sound equalizer.

I've yet to check to see what firmware version my unit has...gotta do that.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#62
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2/25/08 at 8:57am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Reda
I've yet to check to see what firmware version my unit has...gotta do that.
Finding your "Firmware Version" is easy turn the Integra DTC-9.8 on.
Then push "display" and simultaneously press the ON/OFF switch.
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#63
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2/25/08 at 10:18am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

I love my DTC 9.8. I have not used the Pro setup, but the regular setup is better than anything I have ever owned before (using a mic stand and 5 positions).

I got it for $1500 from my local dealer and it took 45 days to get.
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#64
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2/25/08 at 5:23pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Well, after months on the fence ... I have been resisting giving up my Anthem AVM 20 ... I decided to take the plunge. I ordered my Integra DTC 9.8 today. Should be here in a week or so! Now a few questions....

Using a PS3 as my player, a Pioneer 5070HD plasma display, and a Parasound 5 channel amp, what do I need to hook this puppy up? Anything special?

Thanks!
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#65
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2/26/08 at 5:26am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Just RCAs or balanced cables for the amp to preamp connection and some HDMIs.
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#66
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2/26/08 at 5:31pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Cool, thanks! I have a five-headed RCA doohickey from Bettercables and just ordered some new HDMIs from Blue Jeans Cable. Guess I am ready to go!
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#67
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2/27/08 at 6:37am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Michael_V, as an AVM-30 owner, I'm anxious to hear your thoughts once you get your Integra set up.
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#68
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2/27/08 at 11:29am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gustavo Menendez
Finding your "Firmware Version" is easy turn the Integra DTC-9.8 on.
Then push "display" and simultaneously press the ON/OFF switch.

Cool, thanks Gustavo. I'm sure I could have found it over at AVS, but it would have taken a search of the 1,000+ pages on the 9.8!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_V
Well, after months on the fence ... I have been resisting giving up my Anthem AVM 20 ... I decided to take the plunge. I ordered my Integra DTC 9.8 today. Should be here in a week or so! Now a few questions....

Using a PS3 as my player, a Pioneer 5070HD plasma display, and a Parasound 5 channel amp, what do I need to hook this puppy up? Anything special?

Congrats, Michael!!! As "ericks" stated, you should be set once you get one HDMI cable from the 9.8 to your TV and then one HDMI cable for each of your HDMI equipped components and then some ICs from the 9.8 to your amp.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#69
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2/27/08 at 3:39pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Mark,

I was really reluctant to give up the Anthem. It sounds so good! But $2600 to upgrade was just too much, and like most of us, I have a pathological need to be somewhere toward the front end of the technology curve! Once I heard uncompressed PCM (Casino Royale in 2.0 stereo via optical from my PS3) I was hooked. Maybe I am hearing things, but after that the "old" formats just sound ... constipated ... to me now! Can't wait to hear lossless audio in full surround!

I will post my impressions once I have the Integra set-up!
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#70
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2/28/08 at 3:18pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Blair
I haggled for 1500.00 and am using the Outlaw 7125 7.1 channel amplifier. This combo is killer I ran audyssey today and the sound got much better than it already was yesterday. I am officially in love with DTS HD master audio, overlayed with dolby pro logic IIx and audyssey enabled. It's a good time to be a movie lover

Just picked mine up and ran Audyssey. How con you tell if Audessey is enabled? I briefly ran an HD DVD with Dolby True HD but the front panel display only indicated multichannel. How do you get the 9.8 to properly display True HD or any of the other newer codecs for that matter?
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#71
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2/28/08 at 3:26pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Blair
No prob. Yeah, Audyssey made a huge difference in my system. At first you think it's too quiet but it's not. It's just...more refined. If I switch it off now it sounds bad to me with a booming sub, less of that "sound bubble" that you get used to with Audyssey on. Turning it back on, it's more refined and the sub and other speakers sound balanced and more accurate. As far as running it, I use a microphone boom mic as if you try sitting the mic on a box or something like that you're gonna throw off the readings bigtime. There's a big discussion in the audyssey thread at avs on this basically saying to use a boom mic for the best results.

How do you turn Audyssey on and off?
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#72
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2/28/08 at 3:49pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

It will say Audyssey on the receiver screen itself. You can also turn it on and off by hitting setup, speaker setup, and equalizer settings.
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#73
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2/28/08 at 4:05pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Blair
It will say Audyssey on the receiver screen itself. You can also turn it on and off by hitting setup, speaker setup, and equalizer settings.

Where does it say Audyssey on the front panel display? I have looked when the unit is running and do not see it anywhere. If I turned it off accidentally how do I turn it back on again?
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#74
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2/29/08 at 5:57am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PEH
Where does it say Audyssey on the front panel display? I have looked when the unit is running and do not see it anywhere. If I turned it off accidentally how do I turn it back on again?

Check the manual - it's all in there.
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#75
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2/29/08 at 6:36am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ericks
Check the manual - it's all in there.

You were correct. I found it last night. Do you know why I can't get the front panel display to show the proper sound format when playing an HD DVD or BD?
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#76
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2/29/08 at 6:45am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

What bd player? If you're bitstreaming make sure you've set the player to bitstream the hd audio and then select the hd audio from the player's menu and it should show up on the screen.
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#77
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2/29/08 at 7:28am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

[quote=Steve Blair]What bd player? If you're bitstreaming make sure you've set the player to bitstream the hd audio and then select the hd audio from the player's menu and it should show up on the screen.[/QUOTE

I have a Toshiba XA2 for HD DVD and a Samsung 1400 for BD. They are both connected via HDMI. On the XA2 I have the Digital Out SPDIF set to Bitstream, the Digital HDMI Out is set to Auto and Dymamic Range Control is set to Off. On the 1400 I have Digital Output set to Bitstream and PCM Downsampling set to Off. I still do not get the proper front panel display on the 9.8 while playing a TrueHD disc. What am I missing?
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#78
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2/29/08 at 10:22am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Do you have the most current firmware on both players? I don't own either player so I would check the player threads for these at AVS but I know they needed firmware updates to be able to bitstream hd audio.
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#79
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2/29/08 at 3:10pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Blair
Do you have the most current firmware on both players? I don't own either player so I would check the player threads for these at AVS but I know they needed firmware updates to be able to bitstream hd audio.

I just want to thank everyone for all the help. I found I was missing a setting on the XA2 ( Direct Digital Out ) that was apparently added with a recent FW update which, until I got the 9.8, did not matter to me, and which of course was not in the manual. My 1400 is also now working. So, all is well with the world. Now I just need to listen to the system for awhile and decide if I am going to have the Pro Audyssey calibration done.
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#80
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3/7/08 at 5:40pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Got my DTC 9.8 yesterday, set it up, ran audyssey, and left it on all night to "break it in."

So far, I have listened to Casino Royale (uncompressed PCM) and Live Free or Die Hard (DTS HD).

PS3 is set to output LPCM. Integra is set to Direct (Mulitchannel).

I think I am going to be the first to be critical, but my first impressions are not good. My Anthem AVM 20 sounds so much better. Clearly warmer and more natural for every source. It has been a long time since I listened to Japanese components in my main HT, but (and please don't flame me!) I instantly recognized the cold, electronic soulessness. I have to say listening to uncompressed PCM (even in stereo via optical) through the Anthem is truly a "wow" experience. Listening to the Integra is a "meh" experience by comparison. There is some compression in the Integra, with less sibilant highs and a harsh, fatiguing midrange bias. I doubt I could sit through an entire movie listening to it.

I think the better play for me would be to invest in a blu-ray player with analog outs (rather than the PS3) and stick with the Anthem.

Anyone want to take this Integra off my hands?
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#81
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3/9/08 at 8:35am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_V
Got my DTC 9.8 yesterday, set it up, ran audyssey, and left it on all night to "break it in."

So far, I have listened to Casino Royale (uncompressed PCM) and Live Free or Die Hard (DTS HD).

PS3 is set to output LPCM. Integra is set to Direct (Mulitchannel).

I think I am going to be the first to be critical, but my first impressions are not good. My Anthem AVM 20 sounds so much better. Clearly warmer and more natural for every source. It has been a long time since I listened to Japanese components in my main HT, but (and please don't flame me!) I instantly recognized the cold, electronic soulessness. I have to say listening to uncompressed PCM (even in stereo via optical) through the Anthem is truly a "wow" experience. Listening to the Integra is a "meh" experience by comparison. There is some compression in the Integra, with less sibilant highs and a harsh, fatiguing midrange bias. I doubt I could sit through an entire movie listening to it.

I think the better play for me would be to invest in a blu-ray player with analog outs (rather than the PS3) and stick with the Anthem.

Anyone want to take this Integra off my hands?

Michael,

I think I understand your frustration. As much as I love my Intergra, when I first made the switch, I felt like I sacrificed some of the superb sound of my Rotel on music for the ease of HDMI switching, feature set and movie performance of the Integra. There are still days when I'm listening to music where I really long for the Rotel as it was able to pull me in much closer to the music than the Integra does. The good thing is that I'm certain you can find a buyer as these things are in such high demand.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#82
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3/9/08 at 9:09am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Ron,

Thanks for sympathizing! The Integra has had such amazing reviews, I was convinced I would be pleased with it, but I just cannot make the switch. Fortunately, the business I bought it from is willing to give me a refund, so I am packing it back up today.

My plan going forward is to use my PS3 (optical out) to my Anthem for now and listen to legacy codecs while I wait for a decent 1.1 compliant standalone player that decodes all the new formats internally (such as the upcoming Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD) and use the analog outs from that to send to the Anthem. Then I will truly have my cake and eat it, too!

And the PS3 can go into the bedroom.

Turning lemons into lemonade, I will probably take this opportunity (it is already disconnected) to upgrade my AVM 20 v1 to v2.xx for $300. A year or two or three down the line, when I really need HDMI switching, I will upgrade my AVM 20 to an AVM 50.

Sorry, guys! I tried to like the DTC 9.8. The Anthem just has me completely spoiled!
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#83
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3/9/08 at 10:27am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Hey, HT gear can't be all things to everyone. While I did sacrifice a bit in terms of musical performance, I am blown away by what the 9.8 does for movies. Not only that, but when you're talking about this price point, the Integra is an absolute steal in my mind. Rotel just didn't have anything remotely comparable or else I would have given them my money again. Good luck with the Anthem.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#84
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3/9/08 at 11:30am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Ron, have you tried A/B'ing the Integra HDMI against analog in (from a player that internally decodes) to your old Rotel? To my ear, uncompressed PCM stereo on my Anthem literally blows way 5.1 on the Integra. PCM on the Anthem made me grin from ear to ear when I first heard it. I even got a "wow" from my non-HT wife. While demoing the Integra for her the other day, I got a "could you turn it down?" instead.

I may be missing something, but it seems to me that those with excellent processors may not be getting as much as they think when they "upgrade" to the newer HDMI receivers, except for a few more months listening to codecs that will soon be decoded internally in the better players anyway.
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#85
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3/9/08 at 2:54pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_V
Ron, have you tried A/B'ing the Integra HDMI against analog in (from a player that internally decodes) to your old Rotel? To my ear, uncompressed PCM stereo on my Anthem literally blows way 5.1 on the Integra. PCM on the Anthem made me grin from ear to ear when I first heard it. I even got a "wow" from my non-HT wife. While demoing the Integra for her the other day, I got a "could you turn it down?" instead.

I may be missing something, but it seems to me that those with excellent processors may not be getting as much as they think when they "upgrade" to the newer HDMI receivers, except for a few more months listening to codecs that will soon be decoded internally in the better players anyway.

Michael,

No, I never did have the chance to A/B them, but I had the Rotel for quite some time (6 years) and have that sound etched in my brain. Playing familiar CDs through the analog inputs on the Integra just doesn't bring the same amount of joy that they used to bring me on the Rotel. Granted, it sounds great, just not as involving as I was used to previously.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#86
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3/9/08 at 6:52pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Well, I took my own advice: before sending the Integra back, I decided to A/B it against my Anthem AVM 20.

First, I listened to Casino Royale in uncompressed 5.1 PCM (via HDMI) through the Integra.

After about an hour, I unhooked the Integra and set up my Anthem AVM 20, taking the speaker calibration levels from the Integra and plugging them into the Anthem in order to even the playing field (by taking away any automatic calibration advantage Audyssey might have provided).

That done, I listened to Casino Royale again in legacy DD 5.1 through the Anthem.

The almost immediate impression from myself and my wife (cleaning up in the kitchen) was that the subtle harshness we heard in the Integra was gone on the Anthem.

Admittedly, there was the faintest compression evident comparing the lossy versus lossless formats (DD 5.1 vs uncompressed 5.1 PCM), but overall the sound was still more even, pleasing, and spacious on the Anthem, even with the lossy codec. The soundfield was slightly more enveloping, as well.

Switching to uncompressed 2.0 PCM (via optical) for the same scenes in the same movie (for the third time now!), I heard a beautiful, rich, dynamic, completely uncompressed soundtrack on the Anthem that was limited only by the soundfield (stereo). Still, it was not difficult to imagine how incredible that beast will sound once I feed it the same uncompressed signal in all 5.1 channels!

The choice for me is an easy one: the Anthem stays in my equipment rack.

Hey, if it ain't broke....

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#87
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3/10/08 at 8:04am
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_V
Well, I took my own advice: before sending the Integra back, I decided to A/B it against my Anthem AVM 20.

First, I listened to Casino Royale in uncompressed 5.1 PCM (via HDMI) through the Integra.

After about an hour, I unhooked the Integra and set up my Anthem AVM 20, taking the speaker calibration levels from the Integra and plugging them into the Anthem in order to even the playing field (by taking away any automatic calibration advantage Audyssey might have provided).

That done, I listened to Casino Royale again in legacy DD 5.1 through the Anthem.

The almost immediate impression from myself and my wife (cleaning up in the kitchen) was that the subtle harshness we heard in the Integra was gone on the Anthem.

Admittedly, there was the faintest compression evident comparing the lossy versus lossless formats (DD 5.1 vs uncompressed 5.1 PCM), but overall the sound was still more even, pleasing, and spacious on the Anthem, even with the lossy codec. The soundfield was slightly more enveloping, as well.

Switching to uncompressed 2.0 PCM (via optical) for the same scenes in the same movie (for the third time now!), I heard a beautiful, rich, dynamic, completely uncompressed soundtrack on the Anthem that was limited only by the soundfield (stereo). Still, it was not difficult to imagine how incredible that beast will sound once I feed it the same uncompressed signal in all 5.1 channels!

The choice for me is an easy one: the Anthem stays in my equipment rack.

Hey, if it ain't broke....

Hey, if it works for you, great! What does the Anthem run with the HDMI upgrade? From what I recall, it's a bit more than the Integra.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#88
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3/10/08 at 1:18pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Ron,

With the newer players internally decoding the HD audio formats, I do not need the HDMI upgrade. I get the same DD TruHD and DTS HD-MA surround but with the Anthem treatment by going analog in.

At least I won't need the upgrade until I get enough HDMI pieces that video switching becomes a consideration. The cost for that (AVM 20 -> AVM 50) is $2600 (compared to $5000 for the AVM 50 new).
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#89
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3/10/08 at 1:36pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_V
Ron,

With the newer players internally decoding the HD audio formats, I do not need the HDMI upgrade. I get the same DD TruHD and DTS HD-MA surround but with the Anthem treatment by going analog in.

At least I won't need the upgrade until I get enough HDMI pieces that video switching becomes a consideration. The cost for that (AVM 20 -> AVM 50) is $2600 (compared to $5000 for the AVM 50 new).

Ahh, gotcha. Well, I don't feel so bad...the AVM 20 goes for over $3K, so I would expect better performance. I guess it gives me something to aspire to when I make some more money.

"Music is a magic carpet loaded with oils and other soothing potions, it's just what you need when you don't know what you need, when you've got more questions than answers." - Bob Lefsetz

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#90
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3/25/08 at 4:18pm
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Re: Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro?

My dealer just called and said he got my unit in. Gonna be play time this weekend. LOL

Randy
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