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09-05-07, 06:26 AM
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#1 | Link |
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The Official Integra DTR-8.8 Thread
I just picked up my new Integra DTR-8.8. I will be writing a review soon, but I thought I start the "official" thread for it! Let the comments begin!
 For reference: The "Official" Onkyo TX-NR905 Thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=884772 The Official INTEGRA DTC-9.8 Thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=873877 The "Official" new Integra receiver line-up thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=854025 Onkyo PR-SC885P Preamp thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=881652 |
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09-05-07, 09:27 AM
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#3 | Link | |
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We don't have to hijack the 905 thread anymore.  Congrads on the pickup, I've had mine for 10 days and still tweaking. I need a vacation just so I have time to play.  |
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09-05-07, 02:13 PM
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#6 | Link | |
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I have not had allot of time to play, no popping issues, no wifi, have not tried to reassign connections yet. I currently use the HD tuner in my Pioneer HD1540 panel and outputing the sound via optical to the reciever. Working on Fios TV, hope to get it soon. I have the XBox360 and an old Integra DPC-7.4 hooked up via component and an Sony Blu Ray hooked up via HDMI, I'm outputting to the panel via HDMI. The sound is amazing. |
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09-05-07, 09:18 PM
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#7 | Link | |
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8.8 and 905 basically identical
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That said, I have not had any popping sounds (I played a little RFOM on my PS3 last night), and I can re-assign all component video, digital audio, and HDMI to any input. There are a few stereo analog and component/S-video inputs that are NOT assignable... 1 tip - Assign an HDMI input to the AUX 2 input (to replace the front panel) and rename it, otherwise you will lose the ability to use all 6 inputs (you will be limited to 5). |
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09-06-07, 12:45 AM
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#8 | Link |
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Review Part I: Construction
I spent some time examining my 8.8 last night. I took the cover off, poked around a little on the inside. I happen to be an electrical engineer, but without anything to go on, I can only comment on what I saw....
Construction ------------ Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics, but there are links to lots of pics in other threads here on AVS... The first thing that jumps out at you is the shear heft of this beast. I think it weighs in at close to 60lbs. When you open it up you see why: there are 3 transformers - one being an enormous torroid - and a huge heat-sink that runs pretty much side-to-side across the entire width of the enclosure. My first thought was "Wow! Receivers have come a long way in 8 years!" I have owned separates since the 90's, and the receivers I was last familiar with were poorly constructed. This one was laid-out very intelligently, and looked to have excellent engineering AND assembly, with attention to detail. First off, that enormous torroid! I guess it could be 1.5KVA - who knows, but it was definitely MUCH larger than the 775VA torroid in my Parasound amps. The size of the torriod is directly related to the total output power capacity. This is definitely one powerful amp! I also noticed, besides the nicely twisted pair of input wires, there were a number of secondary winding outputs, 3 "high current" (large guage wire) and 2 lower current outputs - all nicely twisted and routed as far as possible from the lower signal analog circuits. There were also 2 "square" transformers - each having several secondary outputs (again, nicely twisted). One transformer fed the front-panel (it looks like it feeds it exclusively), the other fed back toward the rest of the electronics. The power amp was also very nicely laid out. There were separate "daughter-boards" which looked to contain the "gain" (or voltage amplification) stage of the amp, which fed the output devices - 2 large power transistors (1 each for + and - phase - likely MOSFETs) - which were attached to the heat sink with thermal "goo" (compound) between the package and the heat sink. As a reference, my 150ish W Parasound amp has 6 15 amp bipolar output transistors per channel. There were 2 main caps for the amp power rails - each 18000 uF - for a total of 36000 uF. The amount of cap has a direct influence on the dynamic headroom that an amp has. This layout suggests a common supply for every channel in the amp section. As a reference, my Parasound has a completely separate power supply for each channel, and each channel has 20,000 µF. There are 2 fans, mounted at a 45deg angle that blow in toward the bottom of heat sink (they are under the corner mounted transformers). They look to be something like 60-90mm fans, but I didn't measure them. As a side note, I never heard them come on during my listening tests. I looked a little at the HDMI video board and noticed that they appear to be using Si Optix chips for the HDMI outputs, in addition to the obvious Reon (that looks like it could use a simple package-top-mount low-profile Al heat sink). The rest of the inside was pretty well hidden, and I didn't want to poke around too much. I have to say that the whole thing appears extremely well engineered AND assembled - with very good industrial design. I had heard that the amp section was top notch - now I am apt to believe it! The last thing that I noticed was that was that there is just one convenience output (switched) on the back panel. Not a big deal, but it used to be that 3 was pretty standard. But I supposed in these days of always-on electronic devices with standby mode, it's probably not needed. Next up - Setup! Last edited by theRchitect; 09-06-07 at 12:51 AM.. |
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09-06-07, 03:02 AM
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#10 | Link | |
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AVS Special Member
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There are quite a few extra features the Integra flavor offers. -E |
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09-06-07, 03:01 PM
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#12 | Link | |
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I recommend you try it both ways, and see if you can hear a difference. There are potential advantages to the external amp, the biggest being heat! Using the 8.8 amps will make it, and whatever is around it VERY hot. I keep my amps on the floor where they get plenty of ventilation, and I put the 8.8 in a cabinet - which I would NEVER do if I was using the internal amps. I say try it and let us know your results. (I plan to do the same thing). |
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09-06-07, 03:48 PM
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09-07-07, 03:34 PM
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#14 | Link |
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It comes Tuesday
WAAAHHHHOOOO!
I just came from my Integra dealer after he got on the phone with his rep. My 8.8, which was ordered last Friday, (Monday was a Federal holiday  ) shipped Wednesday PM from Carson, CA. I guess there is an Onkyo/Integra distribution facility there....it's a "burb" of Los Angeles and it figures that they would come in from Japan "off the boat" on the west coast. I have the tracking #.  It'll arrive Tuesday 9/11  ......... I'll be able to track it coming. The light at the end of this 5 month long Sony ES, Denon, Onkyo, Integra decision tunnel is glowing very brightly! Shipping weight is listed @ 60.0 lbs. Last edited by sjv; 09-07-07 at 03:44 PM.. |
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09-07-07, 03:44 PM
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#15 | Link | |
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I feel your joy...mine should be here Monday or Tuesday as well. |
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09-07-07, 04:33 PM
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#16 | Link | |
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I just thought of a few other things... I was a bit disappointed that there weren't rubber "feet', they felt like spongy cork or something like it. I also don't like the speaker binding posts - they are the ones with the the threaded "rod/bolt" in the middle, making direct attachment of thick speaker wire almost impossible - you're best bet is a locking banana plug. |
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09-07-07, 09:37 PM
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#18 | Link | |
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I see a sick day Tuesday or Wednesday in your future |
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09-07-07, 10:31 PM
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#19 | Link | |
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AVS Special Member
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We're both retired (from our jobs) since 2002 Ain't life grand.......I'll get to play with this monster every day Last edited by sjv; 09-07-07 at 10:40 PM.. |
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09-08-07, 02:44 AM
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#20 | Link | |
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*Official* Audyssey MultEQ Pro support 3 12V triggers (instead of 1) Zone 2 subwoofer output Zone 2 component output "Integra" branded torroidal transformer (most think it's exactly the same) "Better select parts" and assembly (whatever that means) 3 year warranty compared to 2 years Different face-plate designs (I like the 905 better) The differences are mostly in the realm of "custom installer" features on the 8.8. For me, the warranty and the *official* Audyssey MultEQ Pro support swayed me to the 8.8 (and price difference made it an easy decision). |
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09-09-07, 03:14 PM
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#22 | Link |
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8.8 At what cost above the 905?
I believe I read a few post saying that the 8.8 is not much more then the 905 but the few quotes I received for the 8.8 were all at the list of $2400. You can grab ( although you will wait ) the 905 as low as $1500. $900 diff seems alot. could someone post what they paid for the 8.8 or maybe PM me with where and how much...
Thanks |
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09-09-07, 03:24 PM
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#23 | Link |
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Hi all.
My local Integra dealer said the 8.8 wouldn't be available until November/December, despite the fact that the 8.8 now shows up on the IntegraHomeTheater.com web site. (He says there is usually a few months lag between when something shows up on the IntegraHomeTheaters "products" screen 'til the company actually ships it.) Does this sound right for most dealers? Why are some people able to get 8.8's now? |
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09-09-07, 03:53 PM
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#24 | Link | |
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09-09-07, 08:31 PM
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#25 | Link | |
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AVS Special Member
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. He advised that there was a very brief "open window" on the 8.8 and those who wanted one should act without delay....before the window closed. I ordered & placed a healthy deposit @ my local dealer on my 8.8 on 8/31 when they were still somewhat plentyful @ Integra........but the window was closing as orders were being placed.  It'll arrive this Tuesday 9/11........I'm tracking it on the FedEx tracking website.....it's enroute!A number of folks who had previously ordered Onkyo 905's several months ago and found that they would not get them for perhaps another month....or so, scooped up the 8.8's for a few hundred $ more while they were available instead of waiting for "deals" on the 905 from places with just continuing promises. |
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09-10-07, 01:53 AM
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09-10-07, 07:05 AM
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#27 | Link | |
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09-10-07, 04:38 PM
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#29 | Link |
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Thanks for the replies, dleto & sjv.
I called Integra to get the "full story." New orders will not be ready to be sent out to dealers for another two-three weeks (if the dealer has not put an order in already), best case scenario. So the short version is basically if the dealer has not made arrangements to get a shipment in, it's going to be a while. I had asked my local dealer in early August how all this works, and he said there's nothing that can be done until November/December. Turns out if we had put the order in then (and I was ready to put my money on the table that day) then I could have had a unit when you guys did. Well isn't that just dandy.... |
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