I agree about the switches - back to basics and trust my ears - that has always worked well for me... :-) |
It sounds like I would still have the same subwoofer issue with the 80.2/3, absent some sort of a switch. Not sure who makes reasonably-priced audiophile quality switches, but I guess that would be my first step? |
Thanks Monty - I guess my ignorance as to the capabilities of the Oppo is showing :-). I don't even have it yet, but it sounds like it may be my solution in more than 1 area. I appreciate you pointing this out - thanks again. |
Oppo installed using both HDMI outs - looks and sounds great! Thanks again :-) |
Thanks Kal. I've already got the BDP-95 installed. I've also already got 2-channel more than covered.
The only issue is the Audyssey processing difference between the Integra 9.8(MultEQ XT) and the 80.2 or 80.3(MultEQ XT32). I have never directly compared this, so don't have any idea. Is it night and day? Subtle? I really can't see how this difference alone could be worth $2600 to me(less whatever I could get for the 9.8). Please enlighten me? Thanks. |
Mig007 - there was some muffled muttering early on, but that soon subsided. :-)
I appreciate your comment and that was my original thinking as well. However, the Integra is pretty well holding its own, with the addition of the Oppo's video. The problem is there is no place to compare the products you mentioned and no one I have been able to find who has sufficient knowledge of both my current system and these processors to be able to tell which would integrate the best.
In addition, since I already have 2-channel covered and only really watch movies in the winters, a processor's "usage factor" is not very high in my system right now. I suppose if I were to hear a processor that simply blew me away I would be interested, but for anything short of that I'll probably be OK as I am for now. I'm not sure about 4K, but we're not there yet... |
Bacardi-
Thanks for your comments. It sounds like you are making good use of the Oppo as well! I have been very impressed with its capabilities, especially at its price-point.
I'm using digital sound from the Oppo into the Integra and it obviously sounds great. The only reason for me to upgrade processors at this point would be to gain access to Audyssey XT32 processing, 1 level above XT, which I currently have, for movies only. That's it.
Since my HT system is 5.1, not increasing in the near future, and has video covered by the Oppo, I can't convince myself that I will hear a big enough audible difference by upgrading processors. It seems to make more sense to wait a while, enjoy what I have, and if I upgrade processors later on, do it with a product that will also upgrade video beyond the capabilities (current and future) of the Oppo 95+. In other words, make a SUBSTANTIAL upgrade when technology allows, not just something incremental at this point. Since my new Oppo-95 setup has ALREADY resulted in a substantial upgrade from what I had, I'm very happy for now. :-)
Thank you all for your input - it has been invaluable in allowing me to reach a comfortable decision, at least for now. Let someone else support the economy for a change!! :-) Happy New Year to All!! |
Since you've already got a McCormack piece, I would pick up the MAP-1, used, here to try. You also might try giving Steve a call - he's always been very proactive in helping owners of his gear. |
NewsFlash - Just discovered the DACs in the 9.8 are only 192/24, while those in the 80.2 and 80.3 are 192/32. Unfortunately, that is enough of a difference for me to reconsider upgrading now, rather than later. So much for my best laid plans.... |
Ordered 80.2 today - will hopefully have it by Friday. Was getting a headache trying to reinvent the wheel... :-) Thanks all for your assistance. |
Thanks Kal - OK, well that makes 2 significant differences!! BTW, I sent you an e-mail.... :-) Whether it makes sense to look at $5-10K (after CES, of course) given my limited use for just AUDIO of movies only? Seems like paying for features (like video, 9.1, etc.) that I just don't need, but I could be wrong.... Any suggestions? |
Thanks. Enjoy CES - I'll be curious to see what's on the horizon. |
Kal-
An Integra dealer told me I could run analog outs from my Oppo into my 9.8 and still not lose Audyssey. I tried to do this yesterday but couldn't get the Integra into multichannel mode to accept the Oppo signal. Integra was not much help either. Common sense tells me it won't work, but I need to at least try it.
Also, any new HT developments out of CES related to this thread?
Thanks. |
thanks - that's exactly what I thought... |
An issue with the Audyssey is that it won't recognize my sub unless it is directly attached to the Integra. Since it is hooked up to my 2-channel audio preamp, which is in turn connected to the Integra, its not being recognized. I suppose I could just hook it directly to the Integra for calibration pruposes? |
I'm not a fan of any sort of "switches" in an audio chain - any suggestions? My theory was to just carry over the sub settings manually when I re-connect the sub to my 2-channel preamp. Thanks.
Also, did you see anything new under $5K that competes with the Integra/Onkyo? I've also been looking at used Theta Casablanca IIIs, but that seems to be several levels more intense than I currently want to deal with for HT. There are also way more variables and options than I really want to deal with, unless there is some way to simplify all this. |
Kal- Thanks very much for your responses.
Would I not have this same bass configuration issue with the 80.2/3? I hope you are saying my sub will be recognized despite not being directly connected to the Integra by the 80.2/3.? |
Ridom - good idea. That was 1 of the things I was going to investigate. My sub is a Velo DD-15+ and I'm pretty sure it has that capability. Thanks again. |
I'm probably just going to run the sub through my 2-channel pre to avoid having to set my full-size front and rear speakers to "small" in the Integra. Seems like the path of least resistance and brain damage; also don't have to worry about changing sub settings, etc. My fronts have strong bass and the last thing I want is for 40-100hz to be handled by the sub instead (this inadvertently happened several years ago for 6 months and drove me crazy in 2-channel until I figured out what was going on)
Thanks all for your help - I'll probably also pick up an 80.2 or 80.3 sometime soon. Prefer new w/warranty. |
Installed the Integra DHC-80.2 to replace my DTC-9.8. Money well spent. The sound is noticeably better (actually pretty amazing) as well as the room calibration/steering by the Audyssey 32 and other advanced DACs, etc.. Its close to a night and day difference - even greater than I had expected. Thanks all for your assistance.
I'm still using the video out of the Oppo, which is quite nice, although I'll probably experiment as time goes on with the 80.2 video. For now, couldn't ask for a better solution - had no idea this was such a no-brainer until doing the upgrade... :-) |
BTW - plenty of bass from the 5 speakers, run as "full". Floor vibrates WITHOUT the SUB!! Easily able to supplement with low-bass from sub hooked up to 2-channel preamp as needed. Best of both worlds, w/o switches or brain damage. |
To be honest, I have no idea how the 2-channel from my 80.2 sounds. I also have no desire to try it, unless it would help you guys out, but then again it gets very subjective, so not sure it would do any good.
The obvious answer is that it would depend upon what you were comparing it to. My 2-channel set-up is pretty world-class, so the 80.2 was never going to do anything but movies, which is really excels at. The presence of 32-bit DACs in the 80.2 could give your Cary 11a a tough time. I think the new 12 has 32bit DACs, but not the 11. Yes, they do make an audible difference, at least to me. |
Msf - FWIW - sonically I don't think there is a difference between the 80.2 and 80.3, which means there would be no audible advantage in waiting for a 5509. Instead, since this is a "shot", you might pick up an 80.2 used at a lower price, or maybe even refurbished with a warranty. Either way, you would save money over a new 5509, IMHO. |
