Integra DHC-80.3 - Page 57

Hey all. I pretty much have a system picked out in my head, and I'm pretty sure about everything except the pre/pro. I'm looking for a pre/pro that is compatible with all the most recent audio formats, I would like XT32, and whatever other features are more of perks. My biggest thing is sound quality. It will be used for 2 channel music as well as movies. Those of you that own the DHC-80.3, what do you guys think of its musical abilities, in both 2 channel and multi-channel listening?

Living in the middle of nowhere in the English countryside, I can only dream of fibre optic Internet connections! Way to go, Terry.


See that vague tinge of green in my post here?

@terry...

i bet you are like a kid waiting for christmas morning to come...

that is gonna be one SWEEEEEEET setup...

I listen to primarily classical music, and I go to many live concerts. I listen almost exclusively to discretely recorded Mch classical music recordings on SACD and Blu-ray. In my opinion, my 80.2 delivers sound that is as good as or better than any system I have heard, including many quite costly and prestigeous ones. It delivers the closest approach to live concert hall sound I have heard. It is clearly better than a number of much more costly Anthem D2V setups belonging to my friends, which I have heard extensively. I see no reason that should not also be true in stereo, given quality associated components.

My system: Oppo 93, 7 Martin Logan 'stat hybrids, JL Fathom f113, amps by Spectron, Bryston, Parasound Halo.

I have the 5508 and have found it to be terrific for music, both multi-channel and otherwise. I've been an audiophile for more than 40 years, starting when I was a young teen when I helped my father assemble Dynaco equipment.

That's all very good to hear. Has anybody heard the Cary audio cinema 12 pre/pro? On one of the reviews of the amp I will be using (Outlaw 7900), the Cinema 12 was the pre/pro used and the reviewer kept making remarks on how wonderful the sound was. The Cinema 12 got fantastic reviews as well. Only problem is it doesn't have XT32 or any Audyssey room correction to my knowledge, not to mention costs 5 grand.

These days there is very little sonic difference between high end components such as prepros and amps. The big differences in sound quality come from elsewhere: principally the room the system is in, the speakers, the treatments used and any electronic EQ used.

By far the single most important component in any system is the room itself. Changing amps and prepros is more or less pointless if they are going to be used in a poor room. The subtle differences between one unit and another will be completely lost in a poor room.

Speakers are the hardware area where significant sonic differences can be readily heard and I'd venture to suggest that an extra $3,000 spent on speakers and subs will yield vastly more sonic gain than spending the same additional $3,000 on a different amp or prepro.

Similarly, $3,000 spent on improving the room will give far more sound quality improvements than spending that sum on the difference in cost between a Cary and an 80.3.

Finally, XT32 is probably the biggest single step towards better sound quality that a normal consumer can take. The difference it makes to any system that has it is astonishing. I would go so far as to say that a $2,000 unit with XT32 will almost certainly yield better results than a $5,000 unit without XT32, assuming that the room is not fully treated.

This is not to knock Cary, which I am sure are superb units. But it's a question of prioritising expenditure as I see it. If you have a really well-treated room, and fabulous speakers, then by all means spend money on upgrading the prepro. But, as I say, I wouldn't be in a hurry to abandon the benefits of XT32 (unless my room was so good that further electronic EQ added very little - which is extremely unusual).

My room is currently being built from scratch (by yours truly ). I'll will be doing some Acoustic treatments, but can't go crazy. So while I can fix some problems, I do think I'll need some help from Audyssey, which is why I'd like XT32.

Now I have another, somewhat unrelated question out of curiosity. When I get my Outlaw 7900, it will be hooked up to the pre-outs on my Marantz 7500 for a little while (not too long). Would using that amp with my Marantz make any difference/improvement in sound, or will it just have more headroom behind it?

More headroom equals less distortion. Things should sound better at higher volumes compared to the Marantz amps. The 7900 is also a true differential design, so its a cleaner signal to begin with. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Okay cool. It'll only be like that temporarily. Who knows, I may buy the pre/pro and amp together at the same time, depending on how things work out. I was just wondering if I had any sound quality improvement to look forward to in the mean time lol.

XT32 won't let you down!


It kinda depends on various things. If you are currently running into any sort of distortion or clipping with the Marantz powering the lot, then yes. Or if you are experiencing any 'harshness' at high SPLs, or if the sound feels a little strained or 'loud' at high SPLs, then probably. If you have difficult to drive speakers, or 4ohm speakers, or a big room and/or like it loud, then the extra power and headroom of your Outlaw will definitely be worthwhile.

If everything sounds really good, and you usually listen at -25dB, then the benefits of an external amp are less certain.

Whether the 80.3 will sound any different to the Marantz running as a prepro, I don't know because I have zero experience of Marantz. Often it's more a question of features than straight SQ - but XT32 is the big one. That is what will make the difference.

I had an Onkyo before the Marantz and the Marantz had a more smooth, clean, clear natual sound. It has a warmer sound to, maybe a bit more laid back, while the Onkyo was more "in your face." But the Onkyo couldn't keep up and eventually sounded like crap. My speakers are 93db sensitivity for the front L/R and center, while the srrounds are 94db. I usually listen to music at around -10 to -5, depending on my mood and it is pretty damn loud. I listen to it lower then that at times, but when I want to crank it, that's where it goes. Movies is either -5 or 0 depending on the movie. The AVR goes to +18 I THINK. Would 0 be considered reference level?

Reference is 0dB for movies in a calibrated system.

I think you'll find that the Onkyo/Integra flagship models, like the 80.3 and 5509, these days have a very neutral sound.

Wow 0db is reference. I don't think my system can handle reference levels then. Some movies at 0db would sound quite strained on my Marantz and I'm not completely sure if my current Paradigms are up to the task.

A neutral sound is what I'm looking for. My current speakers I have now, I had hooked up to my crown XTi4000 when I got it to test it out. So the sound was coming from a Denon professional DJ CD player, to a Denon mixer, to the crown amp, to my Paradigms. I heard things in the music I couldn't hear with my Marantz like shakers etc that make those strange sounds in the background. With the Marantz, its so faint, you can barely hear these things at all. With the same speakers hooked up to the pro stuff, AND even a 15 year old PANASONIC stereo that had built in cd player, and dual tape deck into one unit, I was able to hear these things. I never figured out why I couldn't with the Marantz. I'm hoping the 80.3 brings this subtle things out of the music like the pro DJ amp/mixer did, and even the old Panasonic stereo unit.

PS. Something about that very old Panasonic stereo. It always sounded very good for some reason. Mid range was excellent, and had a very pleasant sound that I'd never expect to hear from a little Panasonic stereo. Nothing more recent from Panasonic sounded nearly as good. Just this old 15 year old stereo for some reason.

Even my "old" 5508 is very neutral, at least to my ancient ears.

Wow, a Dynaco Stereo 70 and PAS-2 were my first system. I built them from kits myself using money I saved from mowing lawns while in high school. I got interested watching my older brother- in-law build some Eico kits. Small world.

Happy listening, Theresa.

Yes, we built a Stereo 70 and their tube pre-amp, I've forgotten the model. I loved that system.

AFAIK, the big change to the more neutral sound came with the x07 series. Prior to that Onkyos tended to be 'forward'. Ever since the x07s, they have been very neutral IMO - I'm only talking about the flagship models - for all I know the lesser models are still forward sounding.

Has anyone bothered to download the Ipad /iphone app for this unit? I decided to download the app to my iPad and I could get the vol/ch levels and all other available options to work for the actual unit (80.3)....but when I tried to control my BD player or Sat box through the app they would not respond.
Am I overlooking something on the set up or does the app not control the other connected equipment?

Paul

It's pretty basic. Get oRemote and be amazed.

Not many can. But then, not many people want to listen at reference levels at home either.

For a brief overview of Reference, have a look at the Audyssey FAQ, here:

What is Reference?


Check out one of the online SPL calculators and see. Reference peaks are 105dB in the satellites and 115dB in the sub. Very few subs can handle 115dB at 20Hz and below.


I have no doubt that you will be pleased with an 80.3. I am totally delighted with my functionally identical 5509.

oh, I certainly would love to listen at reference levels lmao. Hell, I'd listen even louder if I'm just showing off a scene to people if I could if I'm just showing off a scene.

I'm hearing a lot of great things about the DHC 80.3 both from on here and professional reviews. I think it's safe to assume that it is quite a good unit lol. The only negative I could really find is it's difficult to set up, but once everything is set-up, it's smooth sailing and a ton of enjoyment.

Now as far as this reference level, I would like my system to be able to play at reference level without running into clipping or distortion. Forgive me if this isn't the place to ask this, but since we are on the topic i might as well.

My next system I'm planning on is the DHC 80.3, an Outlaw 7900 amp which require two (2) dedicated 15 amp circuits for those that don't know, puts out 300 watts of high current power into 8 ohms and 450 watts into 4 ohms, and I'm leaning towards a PAIR of Submersive HP subwoofers, with a pair of Aerial Acoustic 7T front speakers, matching center when it comes out, and matching surrounds. The Aerial Acoustic 7T's are 4 ohm speakers with an 89 db efficiency rating, so they'll be getting 450 watts each from the Outlaw 7900.

Would an Outlaw 7900 with these speakers, and two (2) Submersive HP's be enough to play at reference levels without clipping or distortion in a room that measures 25 X 14 with 7.5 foot ceilings?

The amp and subs would should play at reference with no problems. The only limiting factor would be the Aerial speakers due to there in-efficient sensitivity and there not really made to blast at reference levels IMO. I had a pair of Aerial Model 9's hooked up to an amp that puts out 700 watts. While they are excellent for movies they are not meant to play effortlessly at reference levels like other speakers.

You should really look into high efficiency speakers that are meant to play loud if that's what your looking for. My Von Schweikerts are excellent and do better than the Aerials. In my main home theater though I use Triad THX speakers as they can play louder with less strain as that's what there designed to do.

You shouldn't have any issues. I had a 80.3 and the same amp running speakers with nearly the same specs and had no issues at all at reference level (only for demos, way too loud for normal viewing). The subs take the brunt of the workload for extreme levels. You probably won't be running the 7Ts full range anyway. The Outlaw should give you plenty of headroom.

It's not all that difficult to set up but the manual is 'tricky' Best place to look for setup advice is right here.


Try plugging all your data into this calculator and see if you can hit 105dB peaks for the main channels and 115dB peaks for the sub channels. If you can't, don't worry too much as neither can most people, and chances are you won't be listening at Reference anyway because, at home, it is just too darn loud.

Bear in mind these calculators are a guide only.

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

If they can play just about at reference level with the Outlaw, then I'll be okay. Spec says they can handle far more power then what the Outlaw will give (it says 10-700 watts into 8 ohms recommended) and the outlaw gives 450. I was looking at the JTR triple 12's but I want the musicality of the Aerials. Some other speakers I was looking at were the Paradigm S8's but I'm leading towards the Aerials right now. I know the JTR's would play louder, but I'm pretty sure for enjoying 2 channel music at normal levels, sounded natural and real, conveying all the micro details that were recorded in the music, the Aerials are more then likely better. I want speakers that can do both. The Aerials and S8's seem like they should be able to.


I'd be using it for normal viewing with friends for sure lol. So a pair of Submersive HP's should be up to the task at playing at reference levels 20Hz and below??? If not, I'll be looking at a Teraform XL lol. As long as the teraform is as musical as the Submersive HP.

Thanks for the Calculator! I put all the Specs in and got 116.4db

The current Oremote app works really well. Worth the $4.99. The new Oremote app is in the review process and should be released soon. Check out his Facebook page.

Not sure the current remote does much for bd or sat players. I think that may be a work in progress.
A number of sat boxes have wi if apps :; direct tv e.g. Fios has a wifi remote as well.
Oremote. Is great for handling the integra units.

If your going with Seaton Sound subs have you thought about his speakers? Just because they are designed for effortless movie sound doesn't mean they can't play music just as good as the Aerials or Paradigms.