Integra

Re: Integra

They are essentially the same as the Onkyo receivers with a few extra features thrown in for the custom install market. They are a solid company with a quality product.

Re: Integra

I've been using a DTR-8.2 in the family room since I bought it new and have been very happy with it. At the time, I compared Sony (way too bright) and Denon (close second, slightly warmer than Integra),but found the Integra to be the more open sounding and right for my speakers.

Re: Integra

I'd like to know how that pans out for you. I'm considering the Integra DTR 8.9 for my system. I've sampled a few brands, and the Integra receivers seem to stand out in their class. What kind of speakers are you working with?

Re: Integra

My theater is a work in progress. currently, I'm using an older Pioneer Elite receiver vsx 37tx that's 7.1, but only has preouts for surround rears, so that's piped into an even older pioneer vsx d606x for the rear channels. I started with 2 pairs of Bose acoustimass 5s and a Bose center. They are okay, but Bose is WAY overpriced, and just don't perform that well at higher volumes. I like to turn it up, so I went shopping for some monsters up front and ended up with a pair of Paradigm Studio 100's and their Servo 15 bass module, and I gotta tell ya, they're schweet! So the Bose moved back to complete a 7.1 channel surround. Now with HDMI being the centerpiece of any component upgrade and a recent TV failure/upgrade, I'm considering a new receiver. I got my sights on the Integra 8.9, I found it for $1615. Haven't bought it yet but I'm losing sleep thinking about how good these paradigms will sound with a beast like that pushing them!
These upgrades happened slowly over the course of a few years cos I can only afford so much at a time, but taking my time is proving to be worth it.
Eventually I want to replace the Bose speakers with paradigm. Im sure about the speakers, but I'm open to this forum changing my mind about an Integra receiver...

Re: Integra

I've been pretty set on one brand of speaker since I started listening, Kef. My first pair with the Integra in the old house was the Reference 2~2s as fronts, RDMs on the rears and Velo for the sub. I'm pretty picky about the sound being clear at both high and low volumes and Kef seemed to do the trick. In that setup, I had also later added in an Anthem MCA-5 200w per channel amp. This played very nicely in the setup. Definitely helped drive the towers much better. The midrange seemed to come alive more. I'm currently using just the 8.2 (no separate amp) driving Kefs best egg system for everyday use and have been very happy. Precise, clear and engaging. The only other speaker I would consider switching to now for my living room (main theater) would probably be Sonus Faber, close second would be Revel. I would consider these more sideways changes versus up the ladder though. I have listened to B&W and Tannoy critically also. I would consider buying used also off of Audiogon. You may stretch your budget even further. You do run the risk of older speakers and doing a little work on it, but your musical rewards will far outweigh the effort.
Currently in my main room, I'm running a McIntosh MX-135 pre, Sunfire amp and Kef Reference 4~2s, Velo DD-15 for sub. My ears are very happy to say the least. It has been many years of upgrading to get to that point though, like the other Mark says, it pays off.
Cool trick I learned. One of Kefs theories is that by isolating the actual woofers/tweeters from the cabinet, you avoid creating harmonics from the cabinet resonating. To prove how well they've done this, you can take a nickel and stand it on its edge on top of your speaker and let it roar. The nickel won't fall over. I haven't tried it with any other speakers, but it's amazing engineering.