I have the same DSP. Have you calibrated with Audyssey XT32? I think the advantages of a good calibration are the most important - especially as you have different speakers in your setup which rarely works well. I like XT32 for surround and had good results in a 7.1 setup with all matched speakers and matching sub. For two channel I would bypass the Integra and go with a good separate DAC - easily done if the DAC doubles as a preamp and has an HT bypass feature.
Surround Processor Upgrade to improve surround music?
I currently have an Integra DHC-80.3 for surround duties. I have TRL Dude preamp to handle my two channel sources (Lumin A1, Technics SP10/Basis Vector). I am currently using an Oppo 103D to stream the surround music (SACD and LPCM) that I have ripped to my Synology NAS. The Oppo is transmitting DSD via HDMI to the DHC-80.3. I am considering upgrading the Integra for the sole purpose of improving the quality of surround
for music. I have been thinking about a Bryston SP-3 or Classe SSP-800/CT-SSP. Of course those processors
do not support DSD so I would need to decode upstream to analog or LPCM. I am trying to decide if the
improvement would be significant or minor. My other downstream equipment is reasonably high quality(Green Mountain Continuum 3 mains and center channel, TRL Samson L-R amps, EAD PM-1000 for center and surrounds ,2 x Seaton Submersive subs).
So this may be a Kal kind of question. But has anyone moved from the DHC-80.3 to Classe or Bryston and can comment on the level of improvement for audio? I know this will be very system dependant. I am just trying to figure out if it is worth the $ and effort. In concert with that I might upgrade the oppo to the 205 if decoding to analog in the Oppo was the best route. I do still need a surround decoder as I have other digital sources (Tivo,
Apple-TV, etc). Thanks for any insights.
for music. I have been thinking about a Bryston SP-3 or Classe SSP-800/CT-SSP. Of course those processors
do not support DSD so I would need to decode upstream to analog or LPCM. I am trying to decide if the
improvement would be significant or minor. My other downstream equipment is reasonably high quality(Green Mountain Continuum 3 mains and center channel, TRL Samson L-R amps, EAD PM-1000 for center and surrounds ,2 x Seaton Submersive subs).
So this may be a Kal kind of question. But has anyone moved from the DHC-80.3 to Classe or Bryston and can comment on the level of improvement for audio? I know this will be very system dependant. I am just trying to figure out if it is worth the $ and effort. In concert with that I might upgrade the oppo to the 205 if decoding to analog in the Oppo was the best route. I do still need a surround decoder as I have other digital sources (Tivo,
Apple-TV, etc). Thanks for any insights.