Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro? - Page 2

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

No, as I don't have a display device yet for this system. I will be soon though as I just ordered a JVC DLA-RS1 projector that should be here by the end of next week.

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

The 9.8 is an excellent break through unit! Anyone looking for a new Pre/Pro with all the latest chips, the 9.8 is the hot ticket.

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

I got my projector in on Friday so now that my entire system is together I've been tweaking everything. I ran Audessey yesterday and it made a dramatic improvement in every aspect. Dialog intelligibility was improved, brightness was decreased, midrange became fuller, and the bass more powerful. I ran the mic at each of the six seating locations in my room.

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

Hello, I had the Integra DTC-9.8 since October 2007.
I use it with Axiom Speakers, Sherbourn Amplifier (5X200) Outlaw Mono-Blocks for 7.1 and a Velodyne Sub. The Display is a Mitsubishi Diamond DLP 73-Inch.
When I play the HD-DVD (on the Toshiba HD-35) it sends the "full bitstream" for the Integra to decode DTS-HD Master Audio. The sound is unbelievable in quality and spaciousness I can’t be more pleased! The same happens with Blu-Ray using the Panasonic BD-30 the quality of the sound and video is out of this world. In a few days I am going to do an Audyssey Professional Audio Calibration. I am looking forward to the results. I don’t know how it can sound any better!

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

I got my Integra 9.8 last week. I was upgrading from a Yamaha RX-V1600, mainly as a precursor to a new HDTV soon. My current TV only has component inputs, but I have a BD player connected to a Sharp LC-42D64U in another room. The 1080p content made me realize it was time to upgrade the main TV.

When I first connected everything to the Integra, the sound quality was only marginally better than the Yamaha. After running the Audessey, there was a huge difference in the SQ, much better than what I had been getting with the Yamaha. So now I can't wait to hear some of the True-HD/DTS-HD content in a few months when I get a new TV and move the BD player to the main room.

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

Last night I conducted an Audyssey MultEQ Professional audio calibration..

The process is a lot more involved than the one available via the Integra unit itself. I did six locations; this weekend I am going to do it again for 10 locations. One of the parameters it wants to know is the dimensions of the room.

The results surpassed my expectations; the clarity and image were tremendously increased; the whole system sounded like I had changed speakers!

Each speaker “gets” a filter that smoothes the perceived sound within the room it is in! The six locations created a “bubble” of excellent sound around the three theater seats. I find difficulty in finding words to describe the new sound environment; using a SACD with Patricia Barber (2-Ch audio only) sounds like from a much wider “holographic” expanse in the room.

Each location creates a process for 8 speakers (7.1) (Seven Speakers plus Subwoofer) in my system. After it “pings” each speaker it stores the results in the laptop; after you are done with the “number of locations” it stores the results on the Integra pre/pro; it also creates a client report of the results. You are able to “listen” with and without the filters, that way you can tell the difference in performance. I also played a Blu-Ray movie for a few minutes; the music is spread all over the stage and the dialogue is crystal clear, and the surrounds feel like they are all over the room, in addition the bass is rock-solid and very deep! The military talks about “Shock and Awe” this certainly really applies here!

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

Quite the opposite. Audyssey seems to set most people's speakers to large. You can change this afterward without affecting the setup.

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

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.

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

In that thread at avs some people use a tripod with a long bolt stuck to it with the mic on top. Like you mentioned, the boom stand is better of course for positioning the mic without interfering with the measurements.

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

Yep I then use a level to set it up and then just move it to different spots in the room making sure the mic stand does not come between the speaker I'm testing and the listening position.

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

I just used my regular camera tripod and everything worked fine. I just sat it in each seat with the mic at ear level and let 'er rip.

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

You guy's are just tearing me up reading all the great comments about the 9.8 LOL I'm still waiting for my unit. I'm hoping to get it this month sometime but my dealer said the distributor stated all the units he had coming are for back orders.

Randy

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

The Audyssey available on the Integra DTC-9.8 is great but the "Installer's Professional set-up" is far superior. I have done several times the "internal" Audyssey calibration with great results; but when I purchased the Installers Kit and became a certified Audyssey Pro calibrator it brought a whole new dimension to what is possible with the Integra DTC-9.8.

Last night I invited a good friend of mine a University Music Professor to listen to my (six-position) Audyssey Pro calibration. He was totally amazed with what he heard! He told me than when he purchases his Integra DTC-9.8 he wants me to calibrate his system professionally.

This coming Saturday afternoon I am going to do the “Pro” calibration again but this time I am going to select ten locations. I’ll report my findings next week.

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

Is the pro kit something I can buy and run myself? How do I go about getting that/learing to run it, etc?

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

I had to wait about 3 weeks for mine. It was back ordered and the dealer had 5 on order. When they finally got them in, he only got 2. Luckily I was #2 on the list. For once luck was on my side. So far it was worth the wait.

The only thing I don't like about it, is that there is a bit of a delay when switching between HD and SD channels from the TiVo. A bit longer than what the Yamaha had. Right now, I am running everything through Component video inputs and using optical for the audio. I'm hoping that once I get a TV with HDMI and start piping everything through HDMI, that they delay will be less. Anyone out there know?

Tom

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

Have a look at this link Steve.

Installer Kit


Randy

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

Well, instead of 10 locations I ran 12 locations, making the "sweet-spot" a very large "bubble" of extraordinary sound and enveloping. I played several regulard DVD's (Master & Commander, Gladiator, etc) and several HD-DVD's (Batman Begins, Transformers, etc) and some Blu-ray discs (The Fifth Element-Re-mastered, Kingdom of Heaven, etc.) The sound quality after the Audyssey EQ PRO was like I had changed speakers, amps, and everything else!

The Audyssey PRO kit does an extraordinary job of "correcting" the entire chain from source to speakers to room environment; even with room acoustic treament the PRO EQ does better. Yes, you can purchase the kit and the license for each processor in my case one license for my Integra DTC-9.8.

The sound perception within the "bubble" (in my case a very large bubble) is hard to verbalize! It was very realistic; you can tell that the sound appears to emanate from a very large field (all around) outside of where the speakers are located. I am extremely pleased with the results of my sound in my home theater. I am planning to do others theaters (of my friends) so I can help pay for the price of the kit. Purchasing the kit is easy, go to Audyssey Installer Program and follow the instructions. Learning how to do the professional intallers's equalization is relatively simple. The process is explained in detail in the manual. By the way you need a laptop with Windows XP or latest. The price of the “Installers’ Kit is $325.00 plus the License for each processor of $150.00.

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

Many dealers have the cappability to do the Audyssey MULTEQ Pro calibration for a fee plus your Pre/Pro License.

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

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.