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. |
Ordered 80.2 today - will hopefully have it by Friday. Was getting a headache trying to reinvent the wheel... :-) Thanks all for your assistance. |
I too have a DTC-9.8 and am thinking of upgrading to a 80.2. Please let us know if you think the difference was worth the upgrade. |
I thought so. I handed my 9.8 on to a needy friend.
Kal |
The Oppo 93 & 95 offer either DSD or LPCM output for SACDs, both at 88.2 kHz. Presumably LPCM provides bass management, but my Cary 11a treats 88.2 kHz as DSD even if the output is LPCM, and provides no bass management. Does the Integra 80.3 distinguish between 88.2 kHz DSD and LPCM from an Oppo player so it can provide bass management with SACDs?
db |
The Oppos provide LPCM only if you are using HDMI audio output. If you want DSD coming from them you need to turn off HDMI audio output and send the signal through the analog multichannel connection (I don't know if in stereo is also the same). Normally the prepros (at least my Anthem and also the Integras) do not apply room correction or bass management to an analog signal unless they convert it again to digital. So you have to rely on SACD on the Oppo bass management. |
I would check out the NAD T175HD, M15, or the new T187. I think they are considered one of the better prepros for audio quality. |
Wait a minute,Ridom. You get only analog from the analog output, not PCM and not DSD.
If you want DSD, you use a prepro (like the 80.2/3) that can accept DSD. It can then do Audyssey/Bass Management although it will convert the DSD to PCM for that purpose. The 80.2/3 can provide this for both DSD and PCM sources. |
Oppo has been very helpful. To achieve bass management playing SACDs through my Cary 11a, I need to use analog output and set the speakers to small in the Oppo setup menu. In that configuration, the Oppo can provide bass management.
I think, but am not sure, that Kal may have answered my question. I assume he meant that the 80.2/3 can direct LF to the subs even with DSD that does not carry bass management information or with LPCM that does.
Kal, is the audio quality of the 80.2/3 good enough to make using it with a preamp or DAC passthrough moot? My impression was that the audio quality of the 80.1 was not in the same league with the Cary 11a, but there were confounding factors (different setup) in my audition of the 80.1.
db |
You're right, Kal, I made a mistake. Effectively the Oppo converts the DSD internally and then send an analog signal to its analog outputs. The only thing that could bother you a little is that if your Oppos hdmi audio output is turned on and your prepro does not decode dsd, you will read in the Oppo screen that the player is sending a pcm signal instead of dsd. According to Oppo, the point is that the player will be sending both: converted dsd into analog through its analog connections and pcm through its hdmi (and pcm just because my prepro Anthem D2V- does not convert dsd). |
Partial correction. I just spoke with Oppo and they told me that if the player's HDMI audio output is on and the prepro does not accept a DSD signal, then the player automatically converts DSD to PCM. Therefore, if you do not turn off the hdmi audio in the Oppo, the analog signal that outputs the player will be a DSD converted to PCM and then to analog. |
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. |
How is the 2 channel from the 80.2 compared to your dedicated 2 channel setup (assuming you have tried it of course)? |
Mfs, that's a question of interest to me as well. Kal seems to have dropped this thread or he is preoccupied. An 80.2/3 would simplify my setup. I supplement a Cary 11a with a DVDO Edge for video processing and a Velodyne SMS-1 for bass managing a pair of HGS-15 subs. An 80.2/3 could do all those functions IF it sounded as good as the Cary 11a, but that's a big if I'd like answered.
I wish there were a way to try an 80.2/3 in my setup before I buy aside from the hassle of the buy, try, then sell route that some Audiogon posters seem to use.
db |
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. |
That's interesting. I just got rid of a Cary 11 (not an 11A) which to me was wonderful in 2 channel. I too am wondering how it would compare. It looks like the Onkyo PR SC5509 (Integra DHC 80.3 clone) is going to be released in the US, so I may just pick that up and give it a shot. |
I am here.
It is impossible for me to know how the 80.2/3 would sound compared to anyone's analog 2 channel setup, even my own (since it is in a different house). The Carys have all had excellent analog sound but, imho, fail as adequate digital MCH audio processors for a number of reasons. Since almost all of my listening is digital MCH, I prefer the Integra and, if it doesn't float your boat for stereo analog, get a good 2 channel preamp (with an HT bypass), like a Cary, for that. |
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. |
