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07-27-2003, 02:02 PM
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#1 of 24 
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Local Date: 10-13-2008
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B&K 50 or Integra DTC-9.4?
Which of these Integra DTC-9.4 or B&K Reference 50 will offer more bang for the buck? The B&K is $500 more from where I would be purchasing it from.
I am also considering an Anthem 20 but that isn't available from the same dealer and it would cost a good deal more than the other 2.
I have B&W Nautilus speakers, a Sherbourn amp ( should be here tomorrow or Tuesday  ) and I will be using this setup 90%HT - 10%Music but in time this might change. My wife and kids are starting to use the room now and they prefer music to video. |
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07-27-2003, 05:02 PM
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#2 of 24
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Member
Location: Santa Clara, CA
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I have looked at both, but I ended up with a Lexicon MC-8.
But here's some differences I saw:
B&K has been doing pre/pros for a long time, and they have the tried-and-true Motorola processing solution. The Integra is a relatively new unit, and they have never done a pre/pro before (except if you count Integra Research, which is a different division within Onkyo). The Integra uses a Fujitsu processor which nobody knows much about. But the Integra has Wolfson DACs, which is a surprise at this price point (i.e., they are very good DACs). I don't know what the B&K has. I believe that the B&K is made in the US. The Integra isn't, if that matters to you. If you're considering the Integra, personally, I'd wait about 6 months for some reviews and user reports to show up, to make sure there's no problems with it. The B&K has been out over a year now, and any problems with it have most likely already been worked out. They are both quite good looking units! 
If it's not worth waiting until the last minute to do, then it's not worth doing.
KevinVision 7.1 ...
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07-28-2003, 01:52 PM
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#3 of 24
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I am finding out from searching for info the B&K has more of the features I am looking for in a processor over the Integra 9.4. I read that the Integra isn't upgradeable, that is a big disadvantage to me. The Integra does have some nice features not found on the B&K, and from what I've read sonically they are both about equal, but I am looking for longevity.
I am still going to check it out for myself but I was hoping to hear input from some that have experience with either of the 2 directly. I am going to my local dealer tomorrow to see if I can talk them into letting me take a Anthem AV20 home for a couple days.
Are there any other processors in this price range I should check out?
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07-28-2003, 04:05 PM
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#4 of 24
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in this range, you might want to check out the new Rotel RSP 1098.
Hope this helps.
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07-28-2003, 04:20 PM
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#5 of 24
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Thx, I will check into the Rotel.
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07-28-2003, 07:38 PM
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#6 of 24
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Are you sure that the Integra isn't upgradeable? I did see an RS-232 port on the back of it.
B&K vs Rotel? Personally, I'd still take the B&K.
If it's not worth waiting until the last minute to do, then it's not worth doing.
KevinVision 7.1 ...
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07-28-2003, 08:03 PM
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#7 of 24
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Quote:
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Are you sure that the Integra isn't upgradeable? I did see an RS-232 port on the back of it.
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It's been confirmed that the Integra is not upgradable.
Master Poe: Close your eyes. What do you hear?
Caine: I hear the water. I hear the birds.
Master Poe: Do you hear your own heart beat.
Caine: No.
Master Poe: Do you hear the grasshopper, which is at your feet.
Caine: Old man, how is it that you hear these things?
Master Poe: Young man, how is it that you do not?
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07-28-2003, 08:06 PM
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#8 of 24
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The RS-232 port is for Net Tune: A built-in Ethernet port for Net-Tune allows you to receive streaming audio by connecting to Internet radio, PCs, and the NAS-2.3 hard-drive music server.
I haven't found "any" info on the DTC-9.4 being upgradeable. The few people I have talked to that own the unit told me it isn't. They said they confirmed it by contacting Integra directly.
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07-29-2003, 01:58 AM
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#9 of 24
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That's a bummer. Hopefully they get the Fujitsu's code correct in the 1st shot... (Now how likely would that be? )
If it's not worth waiting until the last minute to do, then it's not worth doing.
KevinVision 7.1 ...
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07-29-2003, 09:03 AM
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#10 of 24
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I'm a new owner of a B&K Ref 50.
I like it quite a bit, but that is not to say that others manufacturers don't have good products also.
Personally, I think that when properly set up, several of these pre/pros within their price point, will for all intents and purposes sound very good. The "setting up" is the killer. What makes these units as good as they are is their ability to optimize your speakers, environment,etc. The B&K for instance has room equalization that has several presets as well as a variable setting which gives you 4 independant variables(lots of possible combinations). It may take several days to get the settings right(it did me). Once I got the settings correct,I've been very pleased how good it sounds. My point is that unless you just get lucky, you may not be able to get | |
