Integra DHC-80.3 - Page 27

Well... yes When they first came out it just seemed like the firmware was loopy. Ever since the 3rd update I had, I've never had an issue. I also have a denon 3311 in the bedroom that had some strange stuff going on but it's was the same deal with the firmware, it seems to be solid now. Those were my first Denons I've ever had. Amp sections are pretty lame but I've not used an AVR's amp in my HT in 8 years. For the bedroom and living room (MA RS6's and center) they seem to be good enough though.

I dunno, if thats the case, I've never had to do that on any other unit.

Does the 80.3 controller support HDMI with Ethernet (over the HDMI cable) as a way to get internet access to other components? I don't see any reference to it in the manual, but just want to make sure.

Thanks.

Well, it's back! as soon as I powered off the unit and turned it back on, same thing, no matter what, always 7 channels playing. I tried it in stereo and direct and it's still playing all 7 channels!! I've never tried Stereo or direct until today as my HT is movies only. It's very strange, almost like a pllx is stuck on or something.
I'm taking it to my dealer tomorrow and we are going to test it against his, he has another in stock and said he will swap it out if need be.

makes you wonder about some underlying issue between Integra/Audyssey since the firmware fiascos on the 80.1/80.2 units. Delay on this is getting kind of ridiculous. Integra still has not made notification on their site about the firmware update to fix the Pro calibration of the 80.1. As another member had posted in the 80.1 thread - there are probably users out there who paid for a Pro calibration on that unit and it's not accurate

I get the impression that there are hacks working at Onkyo at the firmware level. The past problems have been their fault and have been amateurish ... changing things on code that Audyssey has tested and signed off on, neglecting to check a box in the UI Audyssey provides them with before compiling, yadda yadda yadda.

Jeff

Weird. Let us know the outcome of the visit to the dealer.

Yes, I agree. On a $2,000 unit it isn't a good state of affairs. Well, on any unit regardless of price really.

DTR-80.3 vs DHC-80.3. I have a question to pose to the list...I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to home theater components. I am building a new HT and am getting close to making an amp/pre decision. The DHC-80.3 has been high on my list based on the reviews that I have read and feedback from AVS of course. My initial thought was to go with the 80.3 and either the matching 9 channel amp, the DTA-70.2, or a Rotel 5 channel amp...I am curious however if the DTR-80.3 or 70.3 would also be an option, using its integrated amps for the HT center/surrounds, and going with a nicer main amp using the DTR pre outs?....what are the advantages and disadvantages of using a DTR as the pre vs using a dedicated 80.3 pre? My primary interest is music but we are building a home theater after all.....TIA!

I just got back, with a new unit in hand. I really feel sorry for the guys with crappy dealers. He took about 20 seconds of looking and handed me a new one. Done and Done.
I just did the firmware update and this unit seems to be working as it should.
I have a Jets game this afternoon but when I get back, I'll run it through it's paces.

Upgradability and to be able to chose whatever amp you want. If none of these are of interest to you, the save some money and buy the DTR.

You can use an AVR in the way you suggest and it will probably be fine. But for real grunt in your HT, separates are the way to go. And once you have your power amps, then you will never really need to upgrade then again - but your pre-pro may well need upgrading fairly often as new sound codecs, new HDMi protocols, new DSPs, new video processing chips etc etc appear.

I would strongly suggest you consider the Emotiva amps. The XPA-7 is a 200 watt (8ohm), 300 watt (4ohm) genuine all-channels-drive amp and will cost you way less than the Onkyo amp or the Rotel amp with no sacrifice in performance or sound. If you need two more amps, then also consider the XPA-2 for the front right and front left. That would also give you a killer stereo system for music too. Check out the Emotiva website and especially their Reviews section, or go direct to Audioholics and search for them there. Stereophile also did a killer review of the XPA-5 recently.

Result! Let us know it's definitely fixed...

Thx much for the tip...I will look into the Emotiva amps. Personally I want to go separates...always have in the past ... But the budget is my limiting factor for this build since we are starting everything from scratch. Has anyone heard if Integra intends on adding a 40.3 to their pre line? Thx again!

If you want to stretch your budget without compromising your setup, Emotiva is your friend...

I was asked this in the 3009 thread but I wanted general opinion here. Obviously besides the amp section and xlr versus RCAs is there any alarming differences between the 80.3 and 3009 as pre-pros? Both have many o the same specs. Same a the 5009. I am Reviewing a 5509 soon and I expect it to perform the same as well. Video processing should definitely be exactly the same.

Conventional wisdom has it that the pre pro and AVR versions of similar Onkyo units function identically when both are used as pre pros. IOW, their features and performance are identical.

HST, I think one needs to take account of the fact that a prepro does not have those huge, powerful amplifiers inside it, with their big high level signals and their potential to interact negatively with the delicate little preamp signals. This could result in subtle sonic differences. It would be next to impossible to determine if this was indeed the case using any form of ABX test though so it is, at best, currently a theory rather than a demonstrated fact.

FWIW my own view is that there is likely to be very little, if any, audible difference between the two.

The conclusion would be, for me at least, that the 3009 represents probably the absolute best value of any AVR out there on the market at this time, and especially so when used as a prepro (the amps coming along free so to speak).

EDIT: Same applies to the Denon 4311 now I think about it.

Excellent points Keith!

If you're setting up a HT from scratch, how about using a processor with active monitors ?
Something from the likes of Adam, ATC, Genelec, Dynaudio, PMC etc. with a DHC 80.3 would make a great system.

Power amps with passive speakers is a compromised solution isn't it ?

For all except their Pre/Pro.

Absolutely.

Good point. There is a much bigger choice of passive speakers though and with careful matching to a suitable amp the results can of course be superb. Also, you need a convenient power outlet near each active speaker and in a 7.1 system that can be tricky. Not to mention very long signal cables from preamp to speaker.

I think one of the biggest benefits of active speakers is that they not only have amps perfectly matched to the speakers but they may have active crossovers which bring true benefits of bi-amping into play. If I was starting from scratch I'd certainly consider active speakers - in a totally new theatre design the wiring problems could be eliminated at design stage.

If you work through Craigslist, you can often find good condition pro active monitors for a decent price. Musicians tend to be poor...

This way it won't cost you much to try them out and see if this could be an option for your system.

Thx all for the feedback...I have a lot of options open to me. All my wiring is complete and I have already purchased my speaks, B&W CM9 mains, CCM 7.5's for the rears and a CWM 7.3 for the center ...as well as dual Rythmik F12SE subs. I really want that 80.3 processor....I'll have to think about this some more...

If I were you and I was thinking of a DHC-80.3 or SC5509 (the Onkyo sister unit isn't actually released in the US), but was really struggling with the cost of the prepro plus an amp I would seriously consider the last generation models (80.2 or SC5508) from places like Audiogon. You will get 96% of the 80.3 and the other 4% is stuff that you may not use for many years out. The people that sell on Audiogon are usually pretty reliable and not willing to risk their reputation by selling defective stuff.

I recently saw and used 80.2 for considerably less than the MSRP (am I breaking the rules for mentioning this?) of an 80.3, enough of a reduction that you could also get the Emotiva XPA-5 and still spend less than the cost of a new 80.3. Just avoid the early serial numbers as they did have a problem on some units that has been documented in this forum.

For those looking for a prepro, another thing to consider is getting an AVR and just using it as a prepro. I am looking for something to replace my old BK Ref20, I already have a good 5 channel amp (Parasound). Had been leaning towards the Integra or Onkyo, but now considering getting an Anthem AVR and just not using the amps. Not as many bells and whistles as the Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, but comes with the well respected ARC software and is <1K. Many use the Denon receivers this way also.

With the 80.2/5508 being sonically identical to the 80.3/5509, and the release of the latter pushing down the price of the former, it is a no-brainer. 4k scaling? Pulease. A new Neo listening mode? We have listening modes coming out of our arses already.

Just my $.02.

Jeff

edit: I don't mean to take anything away from the 80.3 as it is an excellent unit. I only question whether it is worth the cost differential when the 80.2/5508 can still be bought.

+1

It's not worth paying more for. I only bought the 5509 because I couldn't get a 5508 really (having missed the best bargain available through procrastination).

HST, as the 4k displays hit, the 4k upscaling might be nice to have

And hopefully, but unconfirmed, Onkyo may have fixed the problems that plagued the 5508/80.2 such as the IDE cable thing which is probably a ticking bomb for some users.

But as a (happy) owner of a 5509, I would have bought a 5508 if it were a straight choice.

In the US we don't have the 5509, just the Integras now if we want to buy top of the line Onkyos.