CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

OK so the Integra I got is making me crazy. Sometimes it throws little ( or no) signal to the amps. It is never the same amp. Sometimes it is the center then the front etc... etc... Right now I am using separate amps 3 Yamaha M-85's and a Yamaha M-80 on the center channel. Four amps total. Each amp has a Yamaha Q2031B EQ. ( 4 EQ's Total) The Integra is a DTR 9.9
Running 7 Polk RTI A9 speakers. With 2 old sealed subs.( which do fine for movies but for music I need an upgrade)
ANYWAY I am going to need something to replace the Integra. I like the way the Integra works, the menus and such plus I like AUDESSY (when I can get it to work, which it usually doesn't) I am not sure whether to go looking for a pre pro or another amp. The advantage of an amp is if one of the separates goes out I can just disconnect the wires from the Yamaha and hook it up to the integra. I have a backup M65 amp but I don't like using it. I was using 4 M85's but I think one caught a strike, its been at the shop for awhile now. The Integra by itself just doesn't have enough ass. I didn't like the Polk's at first until I put the Yamaha's on them, then they came alive. Night and day difference. So should I go for a pre pro and if so what do you like that is close to the Integra, only without the issues. Thanks in advance. Jeff.

nettwerkjohn · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:01 am Post subject:

I have an Onkyo 3030 and it sounds great. Drives my wilson watt puppies adequately. And the other zones.

I bought an ati to drive our fronts, but honestly don't need it.

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

I run all channels full range. With subs. The integra allows this. Huge difference. Much better. Some amps don't have this option. I am not seeing the advantage of a pre pro. It sure isn't price, and from the specs not much cleaner either.

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:10 pm Post subject:

That receiver has been giving you trouble since you got it. There's something wrong with it. I had the pre-pro version of that receiver, the DHC-9.9. It was a great pre-pro, and I never had any trouble with mine, but some people did run into some software problems in certain circumstances.

The advantage of a prepro is that it's simpler, runs cooler, quieter, and is overall a better piece of gear, though that does come at a price... Unless you're buying used.

If you don't have any interest in Atmos at this point, and you like Onkyo/Integra, find a nice clean used Integra DHC-80.3. It's two versions newer than the 9.9 and supports HDMI 1.4 and 3D. It's got good solid networking (vs. the flakey 9.9), more HDMI inputs, Audyssey XT32, a better on-screen display, and solid Integra build quality. It has balanced outs in case you want to upgrade amps at any point, and it doesn't have any amps itself, so it's cooler, quieter, and less to break. It was $2600 new, but you can find them used for under a third of that, or you can get a refurb from Accessories4Less for $900.

If that's more than you want to spend, look at a Marantz AV7701. $700 at accessories4less, and a really excellent piece of gear. Nearly everything the 80.3 has, save for Audyssey XT32 (it's only XT).

I *really* like the Marantz stuff. I sold my Integra, and I'm probably going with a Marantz AV7702mkII (or it's successor) in the room I'm designing now.

SC

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

I was considering Atmos since it seems to be the new thing for the next 5 years or so, at least. I am not sure that its worth the extra money though. I did have a couple movies that had Atmos as the only English option and they wouldn't play right, most do though. Not sure if it would make that much of a difference, I haven't heard it yet. Usually its just me and my wife watching movies and we sit in the front row. I am somewhat concerned that some Atmos movies wont play and as the format gains popularity I will be forced to upgrade to an atmos amp. I want something that's dependable and wont be out of date in 2 years. Not really wanting to spend a ton of money, figuring I will probably end up going to a digital PJ in a year or two. If I get a Pre Pro with Atmos that means more amps. But I really want something dependable. NOBODY around here will even touch the Integra for repairs.

nettwerkjohn · Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 5:46 am Post subject:

We upgraded from a pioneer lx60 to the Onkyo for atmos and also for an extra zone.

Very, very happy with it.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

Not sure if you want to spend the money, but a lot of people like the Emotiva.

I should put a caveat with it. I recommended to Rocco and he was not happy with it. He said the build quality was excellent, but it had noise that his old Fosgate didn't. He figures it is an issue with the power supply and its design.

As for Atmos, if you have a dedicated room then I suggest going this route. A good Atmos system is a huge leap over a regular set up. Crabb may not agree, but the JBL demo at Cedia gives me goosebumps thinking about the WWII film clip. Wink

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

I am anxious to hear Atmos. Its hard to believe that there could be that big of a difference, 7.1 already sounds like things are overhead. To be fair though my one set of rear surrounds is on the ceiling. I really didn't think that making the surrounds stereo would be a big deal either but I was dead wrong about that.

ecrabb · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 4:13 pm Post subject:

I love Atmos. Highly recommended. If you can get into a dealer and have a listen, you should. The JBL demo Spanky referred to was right on-point. Even the Atmos "topper" demos I've heard at a BBY/Magnolia store were pretty damn good.

What's your budget, Jeff? I know, I know... You don't want to spend any more than you have to. But, seriously... What's your budget, i.e. what's the MAX you want to spend on this upgrade?

SC

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

I thought you might have been underwhelmed, because of the company you were keeping that day. Twisted Evil

ecrabb · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:55 pm Post subject:

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

Right now my budget is shot. Best man bachelor party duties ran me low and I got an amp in the shop. Once I get a new amp then I also need to get speakers too for the Atmos, this never ends does it ?

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

Wow. I really want to hear this now.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

It is not just about height speakers or ceiling speakers. It is a shift to object based sound. The mixer can place sound anywhere in the room.

As I told people at Cedia '14, Panny had a great demo if not the best sound. In Oblivion, there was a scene in the movie where Tom Cruise puts his ship behind a waterfall on the left of the screen. It actually sounded like the water was flowing from the ceiling to the floor. In a dedicated room, I would rather have 5.1.4(the last # stands for ceiling speakers) than 7.1 or 9.1.

At last year's show, the WWII clip was a bomber being fired upon from the ground. Each shell explosion was perfectly placed on the screen. This was a JBL high dollar demo, so the sound was extraordinary.

I think some people are using DIYSG Volt speakers for their Atmos ceiling speakers. I think they are like $150 a speaker.

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4181 Location: ohio usa

Thanks everyone. Maybe I will nurse the integra for another year and wait for prices to fall off a little. I am really interested in Atmos now that I have heard everyones opinion.

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 11:58 pm Post subject: