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Looking for a new receiver/pre-pro

spidey07

No Lifer
I'm so out of it when it comes to all the different new HD audio formats. I guess what I'm looking for will decode all the current digital formats, excellent video processing, auto calibration/eq would be nice. 7.1 inputs and outputs are a must have, tons of audio and video inputs are a must have. Quality DACs are a must have. Don't know the state of things but some kind of ethernet/streaming content might be available today?

Any suggestions in the under 2500 range?

Sources are current consoles, SACD/DVD-A, HD cable box
 
Well the Pre/Pro I would drool over is the Integra DTC-9.8

It has been out since last year though, so I am sure the 9.9 replacement will be coming soon. Integra is the upper tier brand from Onkyo's line. The DTC-9.8 is 1700 MSRP and basically features the kitchen sink along with great DACs and processors. Here is a review http://www.hometheaterhifi.com...hx-ultra2-7.1-ssp.html

Im not sure what Seperate amps to grab though, but Im sure you can get plenty of advice on nice lifiers for the setup. The Integra DTA-9.4 looks quite sexy, but at 3000 dollars (Total 4600 with the Pre/Pro) you are looking at an overbudget project.
 
I don't really need amplification, but that seems like a whole lotta bang for the buck and feature wise what I should be looking at. THANKS!

I'd rather get a quality pre-pro. At this price point it gets difficult between using a receiver and a pre-amp. But my 2-channel mind says don't skimp on the pre-amp. So with that being said I'd rather focus on pre-pro performance and features without compromise. I don't need more amps.

I guess my main concern is all the shake up and uncertainty on HD audio formats and connectivity. I want a pre-pro that delivers or a reciver used as such that delivers. Coupled with my ignorance on all the new audio formats and copyright stuff, i'm confused.
 
Yeah the Onkyo is neat stuff, it uses the Burr Brown PCM1796 DAC (123db SNR) which is the same one in the $7000 Denon AVP-A1. On a seperate topic, the ~$600 Onkyo TX-SR805 also uses this dac 😛 Of course a receiver has an amplifier unit which adds to the noise level.

All the other mid priced commercial receivers I can think of uses inferior Burr-Brown DACs (the PCM1971 is only 113db SNR I believe). For example the $2500 Denon AVR-4308CI still uses this, you need to move up to the AVR-5308CI which is over $5k for the 1796 dac. Although the top end Pioneer Elites have a wolffsen dac thats almost as good as the PCM1796.

The best DAC you can get is the Burr Brown PCM1792 which is 132db SNR...but the only product I can think of that has it is a $4000 DVD player ( Denon DVD-5910CI).
 
Well the onkyo is very impressive, number of optical inputs could be higher. Any other suggestions? That sure does offer a lot for the price.
 
The Onkyo 875 (or 905) are probably more what you're looking for than the 805 in terms of video processing. Those units are going to be more similar to the Integra 9.8's feature set. I'm not sure on the DACs used in each. (EDIT: Looks like the 805/875/905 all use the same DACs? There's also the Onkyo 885 pre-pro if you want to ditch the amps and want an Onkyo unit instead of Integra for some reason).

What's your timeframe for this? Emotiva and Outlaw are both working on pre-pro units. I haven't checked on their timeline lately, but when I last checked they were hoping for a release sometime this summer.
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
The Onkyo 875 (or 905) are probably more what you're looking for than the 805 in terms of video processing. Those units are going to be more similar to the Integra 9.8's feature set. I'm not sure on the DACs used in each. (EDIT: Looks like the 805/875/905 all use the same DACs? There's also the Onkyo 885 pre-pro if you want to ditch the amps and want an Onkyo unit instead of Integra for some reason).

What's your timeframe for this? Emotiva and Outlaw are both working on pre-pro units. I haven't checked on their timeline lately, but when I last checked they were hoping for a release sometime this summer.

The Onkyo Pro 885 and the DTC 9.8 are identical Pre-Pros from what I understand minus the physical look of the unit. The only other difference I know of between the units is the 885 is rack mountable via some plates that come with it (I doubt this matters to you). Both Onkyo Pro and Integra lines are kind of difficult to find, and I believe Integra is not aloud to be sold online. I am not sure about Onkyo Pro stuff.
 
Originally posted by: krotchy
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
The Onkyo 875 (or 905) are probably more what you're looking for than the 805 in terms of video processing. Those units are going to be more similar to the Integra 9.8's feature set. I'm not sure on the DACs used in each. (EDIT: Looks like the 805/875/905 all use the same DACs? There's also the Onkyo 885 pre-pro if you want to ditch the amps and want an Onkyo unit instead of Integra for some reason).

What's your timeframe for this? Emotiva and Outlaw are both working on pre-pro units. I haven't checked on their timeline lately, but when I last checked they were hoping for a release sometime this summer.

The Onkyo Pro 885 and the DTC 9.8 are identical Pre-Pros from what I understand minus the physical look of the unit. The only other difference I know of between the units is the 885 is rack mountable via some plates that come with it (I doubt this matters to you). Both Onkyo Pro and Integra lines are kind of difficult to find, and I believe Integra is not aloud to be sold online. I am not sure about Onkyo Pro stuff.

That's my understanding as well.

My boss just got an Integra 9.8 through a local dealer a couple weeks ago and is loving it so far.
 
BTW, would you still be interested in my Dyn's? I'm moving to Tempe in a week and will be looking to upgrade the system in the next few months.
 
for a pre/pro you should check out outlaw audio's stuff. we use the 990 in our video/surround sound studio for all the processing needs. you can use the dvi in/out in place of hdmi. also check out the NAD M15 pre/pro. Cambridge audio also has some pre/pro selections. www.audioreview.com is also a good source for information.
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: krotchy
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
The Onkyo 875 (or 905) are probably more what you're looking for than the 805 in terms of video processing. Those units are going to be more similar to the Integra 9.8's feature set. I'm not sure on the DACs used in each. (EDIT: Looks like the 805/875/905 all use the same DACs? There's also the Onkyo 885 pre-pro if you want to ditch the amps and want an Onkyo unit instead of Integra for some reason).

What's your timeframe for this? Emotiva and Outlaw are both working on pre-pro units. I haven't checked on their timeline lately, but when I last checked they were hoping for a release sometime this summer.

The Onkyo Pro 885 and the DTC 9.8 are identical Pre-Pros from what I understand minus the physical look of the unit. The only other difference I know of between the units is the 885 is rack mountable via some plates that come with it (I doubt this matters to you). Both Onkyo Pro and Integra lines are kind of difficult to find, and I believe Integra is not aloud to be sold online. I am not sure about Onkyo Pro stuff.

That's my understanding as well.

My boss just got an Integra 9.8 through a local dealer a couple weeks ago and is loving it so far.

The Integra DTC 9.8 also has a three year warranty vs the two year on the Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P. You won't find the Integra online though, and because of this, the 885 can be had for much cheaper.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Thanks. The marantz 8003 looks very interesting.

Yes, it does. I like the network features it has, but I'm not sure if it's worth 1k more than the Onkyo 885.
 
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