Anyone else interested in the Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro? (2 Viewers)

[Ron Reda]

In researching a replacement for my Rotel RSP-1066 pre/pro, I stumbled upon this beauty for $1600 MSRP. The feature set looks like the real deal and I've read many positive things about it. Features/Specs: Integra Delivers Powerful DTV-9.8 Preamplifier/Processor Integra Home Theater Integra DTC-9.8 Three-Zone Preamplifier/Processor Introduced — Audioholics Home Theater Reviews and News Pictures: Front - http://www.gspr.com/integra/images/dtc_98_front_300.jpg Back - http://www.gspr.com/integra/images/dtc_98_rear_300.jpg Reviews: SoundStageAV.com Archives - Review: Integra DTC-9.8 Audio/Video Processor Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity UltimateAVmag.com: Onkyo Professional PR-SC885 Preamp/Processor Home Theater: Integra DTC-9.8 A/V Processor Integra DTC 9.8 AV Preamp/Processor*-*AVRev.com Manual: http://63.148.251.135/redirect_servi....8_En_0604.pdf

 

[Steve Blair]

I ordered it due to the stellar reviews and should have it and the end of the month. Tick tock....

 

[ericks]

I have one . It took nearly three months to get from the time I ordered it. I'm currently only using it in 2 channel mode though as I'm still shopping for a projector.

 

[Ron Reda]

Yep, same here! My dealer's saying at least a month though. :frowning:

 

[Ron Reda]

Wow, 3 months is a long time to wait for a new toy!

Cool cuz that is one of things I most concerned with (analog 2-channel from an external DAC). How do you like it so far???

 

[Philip Hamm]

Wow, look at all those logos at the bottom of that front panel!

It's been so many years since I've been in the market, do all those gizmos really make anything sound better?

My old DTR7 is still going strong and sounding fantastic for stereo and straight 5.1 sound.

 

[ericks]

Sound quality is excellent in 2 channel, though I'm not using analog connections. My CD player has an optical out, so I'm using that to send signal to the 9.8.

 

[Ron Reda]

Well, basically I'm currently using my CD player as a transport to send the signal digitally out to an outboard DAC that upsamples to 192kHz then running that analog L/R out to my Rotel. It sounds phenomenal with quality recordings.

 

[Steve Blair]

Just got the call after only 12 days!!! I have to drive 3 hours there and back to pick it up tonight so I'll post some impressions tomorrow. WOOHOO!

 

[Ron Reda]

So very envious, but drive safe and hook us up with a review.

 

[Steve Blair]

Ok, I'm back and very tired. I drove the 3 hours and picked it up. I hooked it up around two hours ago but haven't even run Audyssey yet. BUT.... HOLY ****!!! DTS-HD master audio overlayed w/dolby pro logic IIx is phenomenal! I threw in Shoot Em Up, Alien vs Predator and a few others and it's a whole other ballgame. I've used an Outlaw 990 prepro for the last 2 years and this is just another league. I'll run Audyssey tomorrow and add some more comments but so far I'm in love

The sound field, imaging and just about every other aspect of sound is blowing me away and I'm just grinning from ear to ear. More to come tomorrow as I'm exhausted...

 

[Ron Reda]

Well it must be our lucky days...my dealer called me up today and told me he pulled some strings and got mine in early!!! I picked it up at lunch and have only had time to unpack it. WOW, this thing is menacing looking. It looks a lot better in person than the pictures I have seen. It is so huge that it looks like it's gonna eat my Rotel's lunch!!!

 

[Sanjay Gupta]

What is the best price that anyone has gotten on one of these yet? Also what amps are you guys using with this?

Thanks.

 

[Ron Reda]

Sanjay,

I paid $1600. I must admit that I didn't even bother to talk the guy down at all. I'm all for a deal, but I've gotten so many good deals on other gear over the years, that I'm OK with paying the price every once in a while. Plus, I consider this piece of gear a damn good deal in and of itself anyway.

I'll be using a 150W x 2 Odyssey Stratos for the fronts and 5 Marantz MA500's monoblocks for the remaining channels.

 

[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

 

[Sanjay Gupta]

Thanks for the replies. I currently have the Denon 5803 A/V Receiver which has 7 channels of 180 watts each and a set of 7.1 analog inputs. I was thinking of getting the Integra as the pre/pro and using the Denon 5803 as a power amp only. Any thoughts on this?

 

[ericks]

I got mine for $1350.

 

[Ron Reda]

Hmm, I've heard of using a receiver as a pre/pro then running the pre-outs to outboard amplification, but I've never heard the opposite. Is that even possible???

 

[Sanjay Gupta]

Technically there is no reason why it would not work, after all it is no different than 5.1 analog outputs from a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD/DVD player.

 

[Philip Hamm]

I used to have the great grandfather of the receiver discussed in this thread, the Onkyo Integra 919, one of the first THX certified receivers. It had jumpers connecting the preamp-out and poweramp-in for all five channels. These could be used to accomodate a 5 channel THX EQ unit, or theoretically you could just use the 5 amps in the 919 with a different pre/pro if you wanted!