The Official Integra DHC-80.1 Pre/Pro - Page 61

I'm having trouble getting RIHD to work correctly - any help would be appreciated. I have a DHC-80.1 and an Onkyo SPDV-506 DVD-Audio, SACD, CD and DVD player, both of which are supposedly capable of CEC Control via HDMI. I've turned on the options for it on both. It partially works - if I have both off and turn on the SACD player the 80.1 turns on and switches to the correct input like it should. Also, when I turn on the 80.1 option and then back out of the setup menu, it shows RIHD is on and recognizes the player, also as it should. But from there on the player doesn't respond to any RIHD commands such as pause, play,etc. Anybody know what I'm doing wrong or if there is a software bug?

Thanks

Do you have additional knowledge that contradicts the information posted here? If so, do tell.

I suggest you drop the word "Audio" from your sig.

Oh great, so now I have all the "good ol' boys" trying to gang up on me. ;p

Mr. Dressler, you obviously do not know much about the entire subject either, as clearly indicated by your post reference. Now I'm a bit surprised by your snappy reply since I have read your other posts for some time and you usually come across quite well informed and unbiased.

You are only talking about one aspect - the cable medium - which does not amount to a hill of beans without the electronics behind it. Please *read* what you reference before referencing it. The last line of the reference posts states:

"With all that being said, it should be noted that no matter what type of interconnect used (and no matter how expensive the cable is), the amount of clock jitter inherent in digital interconnecting is WAY too high by orders-of-magnitude for any converter chip. Without a properly designed clock recovery system, even a $30,000 cable can't save the audio!!
"

Which is exactly true. However, if you (more carefully) re-read my post, you would understand that I am talking about the entire package and not just the cable format. Any high-end transport manufacturer that implements high end clocks, circuitry, power supplies, transport mechanism etc in order to acheive the highest possible quality digital resolution output, is going to offer the AES/EBU format connector as the medium of choice. There will of course be an accompanying SPDIF output, but, if you actually talk to any of these manufacturers they will prefer you to use the AES connection. Likewise, your high end processors and DACs will have an AES input. Again, similarly, your high end commerical digital audio cards and consoles will use AES/EBU as the standard.

This is just my personal opinion based on my own personal experience and actual use / sound comparisons. Yes I have actually had the opportunities to either use / test / own the products I have mentioned. I never like to spend more money than necessary to acheive my objective, so I often spend a lot of time testing and comparing prior to making purchases. IMHO, the Oppo 95's analog output was so close to the Wadia / Esoteric AES output, for a savings of $9k I felt the Oppo was the best bang for buck. Clearly the high end Wadia and Esoteric's digital audio output were superior, but, not $9k worth to me, even though I have a complete Theta system and Genesis speakers.

Really, before trying to rip me a new one go and get some hands on actual experience - Test some $200 CD players SPDIF against a $1000 Oppo 95's analog output using a $100k reference system, test the sound quality of the Oppo's SPDIF vs its analog out on the same reference system, and of course test a few AES/EBU capable digital transports (esoteric, Wadia, etc) against the Oppo 95's analog output. You will then understand that there is a difference. Of course, if you go and test this with an average low dollar system, it will all pretty much sound the same. But don't use that as an argument for 'you paid too much' or 'there is no difference'.

However, this entire conversation of 'better sound' is moot if your system is not capable of reproducing the sonic improvements of a higher quality digital output. Especially if you are a "head fi" and using headphones.. I'm really discussing this verified sonic difference in context of assuming the trasport is connected to a high end, neutral and very revealing system. It would be pointless to buy a $10k Esoteric transport and use it through an 80.1, powered by an ATI amp and say Infinity speakers from BB, or even through a $500 DAC/amp and $500 headphones. At that level even an Oppo95 might be a bit overkill in need for sound quality of 2ch playback, and a midline Denon or Marantz CD transport would be more than adequate, spdif / tos / rca, it won't matter what your medium is.

Hmm, that is indeed odd but not unexpected. I have experienced similar 'so so' results with RIHD. I think the main problem is a lack of complete standardization between all of the manufacturers (even though it is supposed to be a "standard"). If you call one manufacturer they are going to say it is a problem with the other manufacturer's product. Total dog and pony show. I ended up just giving up on the whole RIHD thing and using macros on my remote to control functions. The macros are always 100% reliable, can change if I change my gear, and can be set up exactly how I need. Check ebay for a URC MX-850 remote, typically around $100 - or a Logitech Harmony.

I try to set a good example...


Maybe it is your reading that is in question. He is saying that interconnects do not matter. How is it you infer this means I am fixated on cables? I happen to agree with what he says -- that it is the electronics that makes the difference, not the wire, and not even the connector.


So it appears we agree that the electronics are at least a big factor in the equation. AFAIK, there are no laws or definitions that control how AES/EBU or S/PDIF electrical circuits are designed, beyond functionality anyway. Yes, you may find better circuits in higher end products, and you may find AES/EBU connectors there, too, but that does not prevent S/PDIF-based products from implementing the same improved circuitry to the same sonic benefit, nor does the presence of AES/EBU connectors assure that the circuits are optimally designed.


Maybe those manufacturers are committing the same false assumption you are, that AES/EBU connections are automatically superior to S/PDIF, when in fact the quality aspects are defined elsewhere.

You do seem fixated on the cable medium, which is not the point. All of your input is strictly speculative and guestimating. You have no real world testing or hands on with the actual equipment in which to form an educated opinion on the topic. Once you do that, I'm happy to debate your findings.

Besides, this thread got way overcomplicated for no reason. My points were:
1. The analog out on the Oppo 95 is superior to it's SPDIF output in sound quality. That is a tried, true and tested fact. It is worth the extra few $500 over the lower Oppo if you have a system that can play true to that difference. I'm being challenged in that fact by others without any experience on the matter.

2. I had to actually explain that there is such thing as balanced digital output and AES/EBU on high end transports, and it is there for a reason, and implementing a high end digital output section on a transport typically costs the manufacturer a fair amount of money just in the parts. The so called "expert" from Stereophile has no idea AES even exists, which I find laughable. Never did I originally say AES is "automatically better than any other medium", so stop making things up to try and win an argument. Speaking strictly from my experience in testing and working with a lot of vendors at audio shows, system integrators, etc, they *ALL* use AES from their high end transports to their DAC. There must be a reason for this, no? Really?

And then I fell into having to explain there is a difference in quality high end digital circuitry vs the consumer grade stuff, and that as a practice, you'll always find an AES on high end transports, as that is the preferred connection with that higher level of transport. I'm not making this up, it exists and is just this way.

If you do want to go down the "medium" road, I can just see the huge HT systems with 50' SPDIF runs to the AV closet and recording studios with their 100+ ft 12 channel runs of SPDIF, because you told them there is no benefit or difference with using AES from their $10k transport or digital recording workstation to the DAC / processor. Hah!

So yes Roger- All of the high end transport manufacturers, show vendors and recording studios are wrong and working under "false assumptions". How dumb of them! They should all defer to your all-knowing and exalted expertise on the matter- And all that expertise without actually having even used the equipment or ran a proper A-B comparison. Awesome. Can we move on please?

I have never been called a "good old boy" before and considering the source, I kinda like it. After hanging around this Forum on and off for over 10 years, I have crossed paths with some interesting types but I can honestly say I have never seen such a perfect personification of an a$$hole.

Congrats Mr Lewis!

I'd say you're acting like more of a 'good ol idiot'- Your last post #1804 made zero sense, this one makes even less sense, plus indicates a marginal level of intelligence and vocabulary - Borderline narcissistic behavior. At least try to insult in a more sophisticated manner greater than that of a 14 year old, if you can? And let's add in a bit of overinflated egotism, like a 'congrats' from you should automatically mean something?

If you cannot contribute to fundamentals of the actual conversation, which it sounds like you can't, and the best you can do is post creative spellings of foul words, save yourself some humiliation and don't respond. My apologies for a few of the big words in this post, here is some help: www.dictionary.com and www.thesaurus.com

We good old boys have a saying, "never get into a pissing contest with a skunk".

My bad ...

Jo-Bob, I have to say I sincerely appreciate you taking a bit more effort with your response, I can tell you really mustered up all of your home-school education on that snappy comment.

But really, let's not take this too seriously- I would feel bad if you over-exerted yourself. It's just a forum and I'm sure you are a good guy at heart.

Peace, love and all that-

It's an opinion, not a fact. There is nothing so special about the Oppo's analog output, nor so poor about its S/PDIF output, that a well designed external DAC could not meet the same level of performance. Not every DAC, but some DAC.


That's two different issues.

1) Balanced outputs: The reason is the same as that for balanced analog outputs: immunity to interference in harsh environments. This may well be worth the money in pro or high-end consumer installations. But just as with analog, absent the harsh environment a single-ended digital connection can work just as well as a balanced connection, as else being equal.

2) High end digital output: The benefits of high quality circuitry accrue to either balanced or single-ended systems.


You have no evidence upon which to base your snide remarks.


Ok, so if you agree that S/PDIF can sound just as good as AES/EBU, then we have completed the conversation to my satisfaction. Thanks, I'm happy to move on.


You must be kidding. No? If you think this constitutes proof that an Oppo S/PDIF into a good DAC can never sound as good as the Oppo's analog outputs, then we are not going to make any progress here.


Again, not relevant to the question at hand regarding the Oppo and an external DAC.



It seems you are the one making it overly complicated in a futile attempt to prove what cannot be proved. Indeed, let's move on.

I need help with audio drop outs on a DTR 80.1. I am inputting the digital optical audio from a Samsung digital tuner into the optical 2 input on the DTR 80.1. The sound briefly drops out and then comes back and I am not sure of the cause. It appears that as the sound goes up in volume within a TV program an overloading occurs and the receiver drops out the input to protect from overloading. I consulted the manual but it does not describe how to "turn down" the input. Is this the problem or could it be something else?

I have a similar problem. I have a DHC-80.2 & am using OTA broadcasts to my Samsung HLS-7178 TV & TIVO Series 3 PVR. I believe (Hope) that my problem is related to signal strength, as I live a distance from the LA TV transmitters. At the time of the drop out, if I was recording the same show, I sometimes have a problem with what had been recorded. (To a lesser degree with the TIVO than with the Samsung) I hope to correct this with a higher gain antenna.

For some reason, I am not able to configure the Network settings under my DHC 80.1 that I have owned since they first hit the market.

1. I originally configured Network setup to use DHCP.
2. I am able to see the DHC 80.1 acquire an IP address from my router when I power it up and I am able to ping the acquired IP address from my Mac on the same network.
3. oRemote is able to connect to the DHC 80.1 and control it.
4. But iRadio never finishes initializing...
5. Update Firmware is also disabled in the Setup->Hardware Menu

What am I missing? Troubleshooting thoughts?

Thanks,
Bruce

First thing to try is to unplug your 80.1, wait about an hour (sometimes more), then plug it back in and try it. This sometimes corrects the glitch that you've run into.

Otherwise, if the above doesn't do the trick you should perform a 'hard' reset on the unit.

Cheers,
SB

I unplugged the unit for about 2 hours before I posted here but to no avail...


I was afraid of that... I dread the thought of having to reconfigure my entire system after a hard reset... Any hints out there to make that go more smoothly?

Thanks calentz for the quick reply to my Nov. 6, 2011 question about audio drop outs on my DTR 80.1. As it turns out the problem was that I was inputing Dolby D encoded audio into the DTR 80.1 optical input. When I switched my tuner to PCM audio the drop outs went away.

Yesterday when I turned on my Integra DHC-80.1 I had no audio signal from any of my sources (Satelite, DVV/BD, CD) and the Network connection would not initialize. I was able to play a CD through Zone-2, but nothing else would work. The firmware was up to date, so I performed a factory RESET and that restored the audio, so I recalibrated/equalized my 5.1 speaker system and reentered some presets and all was right in my world or so I thought. I shut the system off and went off to do other things. Later that night when I tried to use my system again the audio was again gone and this time the factory RESET would not bring it back.

I had to install the factory speakers on my TV and route the HDMI cable directly to the TV to watch some shows last night. I always wondered what the TV speakers sounded like and now I know (no comparison to my Home Theater system).

Has anyone experienced this issue with a DHC-80.1 or similar Integra product? I think I'm going to have to send it in for service, which is a real pain, but at least it is still under warranty. Thanks.

Jim

Yea I had pretty much the same problem,it was a fried HDMI board, took about a month to get it back (my CI dealer sent it in for me)

Question, do you have any Baluns that turn Cat 5 ethernet into HDMI?
I was told that baluns are killing HDMI boards & that a filter is being developed & will cost around $300 when released.
Also I hear prices on pre/pros & receivers are going up because the filters will be built in next year.
I started a post about it here
http://www.hometheaterequipment.com/...ng-HDMI-boards!

I have an 80.1 and experience something like this though not identical. On a couple of occasions it lost all of its settings. I put it on a battery backup and haven't had any problems for at least a year.

I read the post and it sound like bs, how can a filter cost more than the balun. Onkyos run hot so parts might fail.

The closet my rack is in is air conditioned, ambient temp in there temp is always 72 degrees & plenty of room for airflow so heat is not a problem, My dealer belongs to a buying group & they all are seeing the same thing, when they confronted the manufactures (not just Onkyo) they told them about the baluns, I'm just passing on info from a source I trust.

Hi,
I am in the process of setting up a BDP-95 in 7.1 analog direct mode (multi-cha). In the bypass mode, are the trim levels for each channel in the pre-pro in effect and the time delay?
I would like to set the trim levels and time delay in the Oppo rather than the Integra.
Thanks,
-Jai

OK why is it that no one else it talking about this issue, I am interested in finding out more info.

I am using the 80.1 with a 9.2 setup (using Z height), but I'm not seeing the Z speakers show up on the display in any of the supported Music modes unless I first go to 'Game' or 'THX' mode, activate a supported 9.2 mode, then go back and press 'Music'. Every time I turn on the unit, I need to go back into 'Game' or 'THX' to see all 9 speakers, then go back into 'Music'. I have the latest firmware. Is this a known issue, and has anyone else experienced it (or have a remedy)?

I have a DHC 80.1 where the "Network" Menu is greyed out. I have disconnected the power cable fo 20 mins and reset the processor but had no luck. The "Remote Controler Setup" menu is also greyed out. Has anyone come across this before.

That means that you are not connected to your LAN. Check your connections.

Jeff, thanks but I had already installed 3.6 from the website.

Thanks much!!

Okay one more (hopefully) question. Where do plug the microphone into the 80.1? I can't find it anywhere in the documents. And with the "new" network interface all I need to have connected to the 80.1 is the mic, right?

sorry should have mentioned in my previous post that I have tried different LAN cables and different switches but not joy. Even with the LAN cable connected I cannot access the Network Menu. It looks like the NIC does not initialise properly.