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Surround Sound Preamp Integra DHC-9.9 vs. Anthem

Does anyone have any experience with the Integra DHC-9.9 Preamp (I do see people talking about the 9.8)? I currently have an Anthem AVM 30 but was thinking about stepping up to either an Anthem D2 V or AVM 50 V (due to the addition of ARC). I have absorption panels in my listening room but it needs more help and I really don’t want to put anything additional up. I do have a few items that I am trying to balance: Price, sound quality (analog and digital), and “do I really need all that video processing” since a decent bluray player, a clean signal in from the wall, or a higher end TV should get me real close (right ???)

Going from about $1,100 used for my AVM 30 to either $8,000 or $6,000 for a D2 V or AVM 50 is a jagged pill to swallow. I recently came across a few reviews of the Integra that were interesting but I have no experience with the product since they seem to be sold locally out of small home theater installers. $2,000 is a little more reasonable providing I don’t have to give up anything sonically, but then I read about issues with analog playback (a major short coming). I am not sure if the 9.9 has fixed this issue or if it would not be an issue since Audyseey can only be used via a digital signal. So, I guess I am looking for a D2 V (with or without the video capability) for a small sum. Comments/suggestions/insights ?
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9 responses Add your response
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,678 posts
 
Are you committed to any analog sources? If not, the Integra/Onkyo prepros should be fine for you. If yes, you can supplement the prepro with a good, simple analog preamp with an HT bypass function.

Of course, the D2 with ARC is great.

Kal
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Check with Anthem, they will upgrade any pre/pro to any other model, see what they would want to go to the AVM50v or possibly the D2v.

The cost might not be worth it, but since they DO this you should at least find out what they would charge for it first. I cannot comment on the DTC 9.8 or the new DHC 9.9 as I haven['t had them in my system (though with all the buzz they've made I am tempted to buy one just to see) but I have lived with a D2, and now the D2 with ARC for some time, and it is a very solid performer with excellent video processing.
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
Kal,

Which input on an Integra 9.8 can you use for analog bypass? Might it be XLR? I think I'm going to buy a 9.8, though I've never seen one. Neither "Dealer" in Santa Barbara has a 9.9 for viewing or listening. I'll buy an Audiogon listing.

db
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,678 posts
 
I would not use any input on the 9.8 for analog bypass unless I had to. I do use an analog preamp for analog bypass.

Kal
cdj123's avatar
cdj123 OP
57 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I welcome more. To answer some questions you had for me:
KR4 - Yes, I still plan on using analog sources but am not sure if what I gain sonically with analog out weighs going digital with ARC or Audyssey.
Kennyt - I did contact Anthem regarding upgrading my AVM 30. They cannot put ARC on it as an option but will upgrade it to something close to an AVM 50V then add ARC. They did not have solid pricing but it was fairly equivalent to me selling my AVM 30 and buying a new 50.
The quest continues.
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
Kal,

I didn't understand your reply. Specifically, how might I connect my Proceed PAV analog preamp to the 9.8 I expect to buy? The Proceed PDSD has LR & sub inputs identified as PAV pass-through with no processing.

db
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,678 posts
 
Thus you are using the HT bypass on the Proceed. Simply use the L/R/Sub outputs of the 9.8 (bal or unbal) to them.

Kal
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
Kal,

The Proceed PDSD is the digital processor that would be replaced by the 9.8. It provides XLR outputs to 5 Proceed amps and a Velodyne SMS-1, as would the 9.8. I had imagined using the analog processing of the PAV, and passing the output of the PAV through the 9.8 without the 9.8 further processing it.

If my questions related only to me and my PAV, they might not be worth your time to answer, but they apply generally to anyone wanting to use an analog preamp with the SOTA digital power of a 9.8 or 9.9. After rereading Shane Buettner's 2006 review of the PS3 in Ultimate AV, I realize how much I've been missing by not having HDMI audio and the new codecs.

Thanks for your help.

db
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,678 posts
 
" I had imagined using the analog processing of the PAV, and passing the output of the PAV through the 9.8 without the 9.8 further processing it." Nope. You want to pass the analog output of the 9.8 through the PAV and avoid the analog inputs of the 9.8.

I understand the general issue and, in fact, I do use an analog bypass in one of my systems with the L/R/sub output of the processor being routed through the HT bypass channels of an analog preamp.

Kal
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