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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 ?
cdj123

Showing 4 responses by kr4

kr4's avatar
kr4
3,707 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
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,707 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
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,707 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
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,707 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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