Integra DHC-80.3 - Page 52

Originally Posted by kbarnes701


Try setting the Reference Level Offset to 5dB. That will mean that at -10 on the MV you get the same DEQ adjustment as if you were at -5 with a RLO of 0dB.

Coincidentally, I am about to read a review of a PJ with eshift - might even be the same as yours. I'll report back later.

Originally Posted by kbarnes701


Edit: eshift is a form of up scaling in itself. It isn't 4k. But it will handle a native 4k source. So it won't work with an upscaled 4k input from the 80.3.

Originally Posted by Steve Goff


I'm sure you meant that it will not handle a native 4K source. It will not.

Originally Posted by hidefpaul

I just finished running Audyssey for the first time. Like some have mentioned here, I too did not likethe Dynamic EQ turned on. So I kept that setting off along with Dynamic volume, for my initial listening time.

I was wondering what setting you guys are using for playing SACDs. I send PCM at 88.2 kHz from my oppo to the 80.3 via hdmi, but there is a setting in the 80.3 called DSD DAC Direct ON or OFF. What is the recommended setting.

Paul

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

DSD DAC Direct is intended to pass a DSD input directly to the DAC bypassing all DSP, including Audyssey. There are three arrangements, ignoring the analog options:
1. DSD input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of Audyssey/DSP.
2. DSD input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of DSD DAC Direct.
3. PCM input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of Audyssey/DSP.

You are now using (3). I recommend (1).

Originally Posted by Steve Goff


I'm sure you meant that it will not handle a native 4K source. It will not.

Originally Posted by hidefpaul

... Like some have mentioned here, I too did not likethe Dynamic EQ turned on. So I kept that setting off along with Dynamic volume, for my initial listening time...

I was wondering what setting you guys are using for playing SACDs. I send PCM at 88.2 kHz from my oppo to the 80.3 via hdmi, but there is a setting in the 80.3 called DSD DAC Direct ON or OFF. What is the recommended setting. Paul

Originally Posted by SoundofMind


I agree with the guys above, I have found that sendind DSD to be decoded in a capable processor to consistently yield best SQ. That is what is recommended by OEMs as well. Lastly, I have Audyssey MultEQXT32 on for everything, all the time.

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

DSD DAC Direct is intended to pass a DSD input directly to the DAC bypassing all DSP, including Audyssey. There are three arrangements, ignoring the analog options:
1. DSD input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of Audyssey/DSP.
2. DSD input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of DSD DAC Direct.
3. PCM input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of Audyssey/DSP.

You are now using (3). I recommend (1).

Originally Posted by fitzcaraldo215

Just another follow up to Kal's and my recommendation. If you select #1, be sure that the Integra is in the DSD sound mode (not DSDDirect or other modes) as displayed on the front panel. DSD Direct will shut off Audyssey, speaker distance correction and bass management, as previously explained. Other sound modes will introduce artificial extra processing, as opposed to giving you exactly what is on the disk. But, it is your choice, of course.

Originally Posted by hidefpaul

Thank you guys for the responses, I have had Audyssey MultEQXT32 "ON" for everything I have listened to (CD, SACD, BD, etc), for the few days that I have had this unit and much prefer the sound that way. I did turn off DEQ as I stated above.

As for the SACD question.....Kal Rubinson and others recommended setting option # 1 which is to send DSD input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of Audyssey/DSP.
Ok, I will try that but no one addressed the question of what the setting should be on the 80.3 [DSD DAC Direct ON or OFF]? If I understood Kal's post correctly, I should set this option to OFF. Is this correct?

Thanks

Originally Posted by hidefpaul

Thank you guys for the responses, I have had Audyssey MultEQXT32 "ON" for everything I have listened to (CD, SACD, BD, etc), for the few days that I have had this unit and much prefer the sound that way. I did turn off DEQ as I stated above.

As for the SACD question.....Kal Rubinson and others recommended setting option # 1 which is to send DSD input from the Oppo to the 80.3 and use of Audyssey/DSP.
Ok, I will try that but no one addressed the question of what the setting should be on the 80.3 [DSD DAC Direct ON or OFF]? If I understood Kal's post correctly, I should set this option to OFF. Is this correct?

Thanks

Originally Posted by kbarnes701

Let's look at it this way: everyone who buys an 80.3 knows that it has 9 channels. Therefore it will definitely not be able to deliver 11 channels in any way, shape or form.

Criticising a 9 channel prepro for not having 11 channels is like criticising it because it won't make toast.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

No. You seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding here. It is perfectly legitimate to criticize a manufacturer's top-line, ~$3,000 model for omitting features or functionality- be them not being able to send (2) channel digital signals to other zones or not being able to output 11 channels.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

Simply labeling the unit a "9.2 channel" model doesn't lessen or negate that baseline "complaint" of a top-of-the-line model. This dialogue has advanced beyond the "I thought a 9.2 channel pre/pro could output 11" contention, which is not relevant.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

9 channels is a limitation to some. It's as simple as that. It's a valid opinion for someone to have when considering a surround processor at this price point in 2012. Because you (or even many others) do not necessarily value it doesn't make it invalid.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

Again, I can assure you that there are more than a few who purchased the 4311 specifically to run 11 channel arrays.

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Off, of course.

Originally Posted by kbarnes701


You're right - I don't get it. Someone buys a unit that clearly states it has 9 channels and then bemoans the fact it doesn't have 11? I just find that strange.

Seems to me the way to go with this is to buy the unit that does what one wants it to do. Not to whine about the unit not doing something it was never meant to.

What is invalid is buying the 80.3 if one needs 11 channels.

Yes, I'd imagine so. What they didn't do was buy the 80.3 and then complain that it only does 9 channels.

It's just not a valid criticism to criticise something for not doing what it was never designed to do in the first place.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

Yes, I would guarantee you that you're the ONLY one on this thread who doesn't understand.

No one (at least on this thread that I've read) has BOUGHT ANYTHING, EXPECTING ANYTHING. The point- and only point- is that the top-level Integra pre pro doesn't offer 11 channel output. It appears nothing will acquaint you with that simple reality though. And I'm not whining- I asked a simple question because I was considering the unit- you're the one dragging this out by turning this into an absolutey foolish, absurd ordeal by either willfully or ignorantly misrepresenting what I've said.

It'd be like chevy putting a v-6 in the corvette and then saying people's criticisms that it's not a v- 8 are not valid because it's a car with a V-6. Well, no $hit. But of course it's not about the ENGINE, per se, but the top of the line CAR and what they expect at this price-point in 2012. Guess that means their crticisms wouldn't be valid.

And sure leaving off channels 10 and 11 are not as extreme as the above example, I'm just providing you with another one, seeing this one- which is fantastcially straightforward- doesn't seem to be working.

As others have said: if Integra has deemed 11 channel operation as non-essential, fine. That doesn't mean folks looking at a $3,000 unit like this one have to be ecstatic or "unsurprised" by the omission at this price point in 2012.

James

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

Yes, I would guarantee you that you're the ONLY one on this thread who doesn't understand.

No one (at least on this thread that I've read) has BOUGHT ANYTHING, EXPECTING ANYTHING. The point- and only point- is that the top-level Integra pre pro doesn't offer 11 channel output. It appears nothing will acquaint you with that simple reality though. And I'm not whining- I asked a simple question because I was considering the unit- you're the one dragging this out by turning this into an absolutey foolish, absurd ordeal by either willfully or ignorantly misrepresenting what I've said.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

As others have said: if Integra has deemed 11 channel operation as non-essential, fine. That doesn't mean folks looking at a $3,000 unit like this one have to be ecstatic or "unsurprised" by the omission at this price point in 2012.

Originally Posted by RMK!

Umm, despite your splendid analogies (), I'm with Kbarnes on this one.

The 80.3 is a feature rich "flag ship" product and, is available for far less than the $3K number you keep quoting (if you know how to shop). 9 channels is more that adequate for most rooms and 11 might be interesting in a really large room but from a practical standpoint, it is overkill.

Originally Posted by RMK!

Umm, despite your splendid analogies (), I'm with Kbarnes on this one.

The 80.3 is a feature rich "flag ship" product and, is available for far less than the $3K number you keep quoting (if you know how to shop). 9 channels is more that adequate for most rooms and 11 might be interesting in a really large room but from a practical standpoint, it is overkill.

Originally Posted by kbarnes701

Thanks There may well be some who want 11 channels of course - but they ain't gonna do it with an 80.3. I am at a loss to really understand mastermaybe's point. Genuinely, I do not understand his beef - Integra have not attempted in any way to mislead anyone about the capabilities of this unit - it is what it is. And it is 9 channels. Why he is making such a song and dance about it, I have no idea. I answered his original query and explained that a 9 channel unit cannot handle 11 channels and suggested he look at the Denon 4311 which can handle 11 channels with the addition of a 2 channel external amp - a really neat solution.

Would I have liked to see that solution in the 80.3? Maybe, although it is of no interest to me as I don't want 11 channels and have no room for them anyway. If it increased the price of the unit to provide for them, then it would be a waste of money for the overwhelming majority of people.

As I said before, criticising a 9 channel amp for not having 11 channels does seem kinda futile.

Originally Posted by hidefpaul

If you turn OFF Dynamic EQ, does the Audyssey/DSP still remain active? I turned OFF Dynamic EQ and still saw the Audyssey displayed on my from panel....the reason I ask is that someone alluded to the contrary.


Paul

Originally Posted by mastermaybe


I suppose because I had nothing better to do, I had 3 co-workers waste 7 minutes of their life take a look at my "point" and the trio "got it" immediately, perfectly.

So, we can agree on one item, I guess: you don't get it. So I'll agree to move on with you under the completely incorrect assumption that I expect a 9 channel prepro to output 11, rather than the appropriate one (assumption) which seems hopelessly lost on you at this point. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

And as an aside, using "it is what it is" is tragically dreadful, congrats, I once read a dead-on summation of it:

A trite, overused and infuriatingly meaningless cliche that is utilized by provincials who think they are adding some deep, meaningful insight during a discussion when all they are offering is senseless, unwarranted repetitiveness to what would otherwise be a far better conversation had they not shown the shallowness of the gene pool they spawned from by using this asininely useless and redundant phrase to begin with.

Have a good one.

James

Originally Posted by hidefpaul

So what should the display panel on the 80.3 read, to make sure that the Integra is in the DSD sound mode and not DSD Direct or other modes. Assuming you are sending DSD from your player to the 80.3 and making use of Audyssey/DSP. Should it just display DSD?


Paul

Originally Posted by RMK!

Turning off the Dynamic EQ feature does not automatically turn off Audyssey EQ processing.

Originally Posted by fitzcaraldo215

Yes, the Integra should display DSD.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

I suppose because I had nothing better to do, I had 3 co-workers waste 7 minutes of their lives and take a look at my "point" and the trio "got it" immediately, perfectly.

So, we can agree on one item, I guess: you don't get it. So I'll agree to move on with you under the completely incorrect assumption that I expect a 9 channel prepro to output 11, rather than the appropriate one (assumption) which seems hopelessly lost on you at this point. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

And as an aside, using "it is what it is" is tragically dreadful, congrats, I once read a dead-on summation of it:

A trite, overused and infuriatingly meaningless cliche that is utilized by provincials who think they are adding some deep, meaningful insight during a discussion when all they are offering is senseless, unwarranted repetitiveness to what would otherwise be a far better conversation had they not shown the shallowness of the gene pool they spawned from by using this asininely useless and redundant phrase to begin with.

Have a good one.

James