Integra DHC-80.3 - Page 77

Originally Posted by kbarnes701

Hi TheFactor,

Sorry, Spotcheck and I were having a little fun above. The serious answer is that the main problem with the Rotel unit is that it doesn't have any worthwhile form of electronic room EQ in it. SB and my view (and that of many others of course) is that Audyssey XT32 represents the current pinnacle in room EQ systems and we would never buy a unit that doesn't have it (until or if something better comes along). XT32 revolutionises the way in which speakers and rooms interact and is especially valuable when room treatments and bass traps are not possible for whatever (wife) reason. So, for that reason alone, my money would be on the 80.3. If you want to discuss Audyssey more before making your decision, pop across to the Official Audyssey Thread where you will be certain of a warm welcome.

Originally Posted by TheFactor

Thats a very good point ! I was thinking of just hiring someone from the dealer to come out and setup the Rotel if I went that route because a spl meter is about all I can handle lol wouldnt even dare to try and tackle the EQ side and bass management . But everytime I made a change to my setup "and as you know were always making changes" I'd have to have it recalibrated again. Thanks for the links and for your input

Originally Posted by TheFactor

Thankyou everyone for your input im on the way to my local dealer and i've pretty much made up my mind to stick with the Integra 80.3 . Thanks again for everyones help !

Originally Posted by TheFactor

Trying to decide between the Integra 80.3 and the Rotel RSP 1572 and would like oppinions from both owners on a satisfaction basis and bang for the buck . I have a Integra 40.2 now and love it but have always wanted a Rotel . What do you guys think in comparison ? Thanks in Advance

Originally Posted by SpotcheckBilly

What kind of room correction does the Rotel that you mentioned have?

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I would go with the Integra. Here is my experience with the Rotel:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-53

Originally Posted by kbarnes701

You won't regret buying the Integra. It is a world-class prepro. If you need any help with Audyssey, see you in the thread! Congrats on the 80.3 BTW.

Originally Posted by kbarnes701

You're very welcome. Even if you let a dealer set up the gear, without either room treatments/traps or an effective form of electronic EQ, it isn't possible to deal with room modes, standing waves, reflections etc etc. The 10 point parametric equaliser on the Rotel doesn't even begin to be a solution to the problem. It's a 20th century 'solution' and never worked well even then. This isn't a knock at Rotel (I respect much of their gear), it's just physics. And you know what Scottie said about physics....

Originally Posted by TheFactor

Well guys I got my 80.3 all setup yesterday and im loving it !! Still doing some dialing it in but im very impressed !!

Originally Posted by milesey74

This is very exciting.

highdefdigest.com/news/show/e-onkyo/Onkyo/Dolby/Streaming/Onkyo_Creates_First_Music_Service_to_Utilize_Dolby_TrueHD_51/9390

It has just been announced that Onkyo is bringing a music streaming service that enables Dolby True HD 5.1 uncompressed music "100% studio mastered audio quality". It is due to come out this Fall.

I just hope that this service can be accessed by the wonderful Integra 80.3? If anyone has any inside knowledge on this I am sure this forum would be much appreciative.

May 2012 Service "e-onkyo music" high quality music distribution In cooperation with Dolby Laboratories, Inc. World first ※ 1 Dolby TrueHD 5.1ch surround sound start delivering and Onkyo Corporation and Entertainment Technology (guru of Onkyo Corporation - Group company) is a high quality music distribution operated in-house Telecommunications services " e-onkyo music "Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as in" "Dolby) with the cooperation of the world's first, Dolby Sequentially from the date of delivery will begin May 30, 2012 According to the 5.1ch surround sound TrueHD. "E-onkyo music" will start the service in August 2005, the year 2010 sources of free DRM (digital copyright protection technology), DSD for Matt delivery of the sound source, in 2011 the world's first hi-res sound of rock group "Queen" ※ 1 Delivery such as starting out, line of content We have expanded the N'nappu.

To start the service delivery of 5.1ch surround sound this time as a new service further. 5.1ch Dolby Surround in the delivery, Dolby TrueHD lossless format employed Dolby's latest technology has been condensed.

Used as the codec of the music data in this format is widely used in video production software, more powerful and realistic To achieve in the world of music distribution is full of sound.

This time, the joint planning and implementation to demonstrate the strengths of the group and Onkyo Then, in conjunction with Dolby surround sound start delivery of, AV receiver Onkyo will be released that can be played. Content delivery is classic label "2L", with a label such as the classic one of the best domestic EXTON "Via octa records of Norway Approximately 1,000 songs from the label was supplied by domestic and foreign soil ", Ono limit engineers worldwide to preside over" such as Saidera Record " To deliver approximately 100 titles and the number of albums. In "e-onkyo music"

In addition, we also start delivery in Flac format and surround WAV.

In addition, in the autumn of 2012 has been planned in overseas delivery, you continue to expand worldwide delivery for Dolby surround this Be.

Originally Posted by SpotcheckBilly

Happy to hear the good news. Enjoy

Cheers,
SB

Originally Posted by lbrown105

Can anyone tell me if the 80.3 has a all channel steroe mode (party mode). I am not looking for DPL IIx or DEO:6 DTS, just that the L&R rears can play as if they were front L&R at the same time as the fronts.

Originally Posted by windshear

I have to add my fews cents to this as well. I have the Onkyo PRSC5509 (almost identical to the 80.3) as well as the Oppo BDP95. I also prefer the Oppo analogue via the Onkyo analogue in, in direct mode. I have noticed a strange anomaly and have verified it via spl meter measurments. If i take the analogue in and change it from pure or direct mode to stereo mode or use the HDMI input from the Oppo, the stereo image loses is enveloping nature. It seems to shift off axis , slightly to the left and the central image of voices is all over the place. Strangely enough the sound stage seems to increase in size, but it becomes difficult to "pinpoint" instruments. In direct mode with the analogue input the image and instrument localisation is spot on.

I have measured this with a spl meter and the left volume is approximately 1,5 to 2 dB louder. I can trim the effect in the set up menu by reducing the left channel volume and it centralises the image from a voicing perspective, however instruments are still all over the place. Ideally this is not a solution to what im encountering as it messes up the channel balance when using the direct mode.

To try and understand this, it seems almost like a level and phasing issue when using the digital modes for stereo, namely the HDMI inputs or analogue in Stereo mode. Only pure and direct mode with the analogue input are correct to my ears. To try and isolate the problem i swopped the speaker cable/s around , first one and then both , with understandably horrible imaging effects.

How i ended up finding the anomaly is down to the fact im testing a Classe CP800 preamp in the persuit of improving my stereo audio. When i use the Oppo into the CP 800 via the analogue input i can not according to my ears hear a difference between it and the CP 800 as a DAC, via spdif. The CP800 with the Oppo either via analogue or SPDIF sound pristine and well imaged with a large soundstange in my system. If i revert to feeding the Oppo into the Onkyo via analogue it almost sounds identical, with a slight reduction in bass output(less punchy). Imaging and soundstage are virtually identical.

None of the above was used with Audyssey to firstly limit the variables and secondly using it with stereo sources sounds terrible to my ears, making it unnaturally bright.

Originally Posted by thrang


I thought I needed to get an ear wax removal kit, because I too am finding a leftward shift of balance when using the 80.3 in a variety of surround modes via hdmi...system was calibrated with audyssey pro, and ainchecked the trims, but something sounds off. Ive done the latest firmware...

I too own a ssp800, and purchased the 80.3 (along with a cp800 for two channel music listening) was hoping to gain some of the features and neo-x that the classe doesn't offer without too much of a tradeoff for soundtracks, but this balance issue is bizarre to me.

Clearly, many options and settings, but nothing seems obvious to me that would cause this type shift/collapse of the bubble.

Oddly, a Pioneer sc-57 receiver with mcacc, which I also purchased, does a great job creating a solid surround field.

Certainly no giving up on the 80.3, but I'm not sure what else to try.

Originally Posted by blazar

I had this problem until i adjusted my speaker and sitting position perfect.

Originally Posted by thrang


My positioning is fine, the Pioneer and Classe and previous Denon AVP A1 were/are all fine. Something is odd with the soundfield...

Originally Posted by blazar

The unit could be faulty with one of the op-amps Perhaps? Was the balance off on xlr outs and on rca connectors? What about in direct mode? Did audyssey change the speaker distance setting on right vs left channel?

Swap back another amp and balance goes back to normal? If direct mode doesnt solve the problem then return the unit...

Originally Posted by blazar


The unit could be faulty with one of the op-amps Perhaps? Was the balance off on xlr outs and on rca connectors? What about in direct mode? Did audyssey change the speaker distance setting on right vs left channel?

Swap back another amp and balance goes back to normal? If direct mode doesnt solve the problem then return the unit...

Originally Posted by Joseph MAK

I also noticed leftward shift of balance when using the 80.3 in a variety of surround modes via hdmi. I am using RCA connections to my amp though.

Originally Posted by thrang

So something is amiss - time to give integra a call...