Integra DTR 80.3 vs Integra DTR 70.4

Get the 80.3. If you need to know why, read up on Audyssey, I believe the 80.3 has Audyssey XT32 while the 70.4 does not.

The 70.4 most certainly has XT32, it's Intergra's top of the line model this year, apparently there will be no 80.4 this year for some reason. It's Onkyo equivalent is the 3010. The major difference is the 70.4 can do 11.2 whereas the 80.3 is limited to 9.2.

I apologize. I had them mixed up. I get the pre-pros mixed up with the receivers.

From what I can tell on Integra's website, it only shows the 70.4DTR as 9.2.

That's because it only has nine amps so they can only call it a 9.4 receiver. However it has 11.4 pre-outs, so you can add a stereo amp for either the highs or wides to make it 11.4.

if 11.4 is important then get the 70.4, otherwise the 80.3 will do just nicely.

Look at the power supply and amp specification. The 80.3 is a totally different beast...you'll get more scale and quality. I tried the 70.4 before the 80.3. The 80.3 is significantly sound more effortless in presenting soundtracks...more like a large cinema where you get a really big sound. The 70.4 is good but no as good. If you lift the 2 amps side by side you'll be able to tell the difference immediately. It's the more robust power supply in the output stage of the 80.3 which makes it a superior and pricier amp.

^ Jesus man, are you serious?

"Amp specification" on a pre/pro?

A "lift test" ...crikey, one's an audio video receiver and one's a pre/pro. Ummmm yes, the former's going to be much heavier.

So you actually believe that, level-matched, with EQ defeated, the 70.4 sounds any different than an 80.3 "pre-outted" to identical amplifiers?

I'd bet thousands to the the contrary.

James
Edited by mastermaybe - 12/4/12 at 8:57am

DHC - 80.3 is a Pre/Pro

DTR - 80.3 is a receiver 145wpc but should be able to produce those numbers for longer periods of time than the 70.4. and has a little better build quality too
DTR - 70.4 is a receiver 140wpc for shorter durations but may not be notice/audible whatsoever. Depends largely on source material. I am pretty sure they weigh the same. This is also a new model as the .4 indicates. NO DTR 80.4 this year or DHC 80.4 either. Just the 70 series on down.
Chris
Edited by countryWV - 12/4/12 at 11:23am

^ I'm not sure what "those numbers" are that you're speaking of, but I'd expect either unit to produce constant levels within 1-2 decibels of one another.

My mistake re the PRE PRO vs AVR aspect but I stand by my statement that you will not be able to distinguish one from the other, level/settings-matched, 110%.


James

I am basically saying the 70.4 benifits technology wise from a year later release date.
As far as sound quality goes there is noway anyone could hear a difference between the two.
Just a little different options that is exactly why no 80.4 this year. Last years 80.3 is this years 70.4 (almost)
Chris
Edited by countryWV - 12/4/12 at 12:22pm

Guys, each to his own...you can talk numbers and decibels until the cows come home to try to save yourself some money but until you hear the 2...doesn't even need to be side by side to hear the difference you will continue to hypothesize.

The 80.3 had considerably more headroom and sounded less strain under pressure. There is Also a quality factor at play.

I agree on quality of the 80.3 and would not even consider the 70.4. I was trying to offer a little help without influence.
IMO and for only me and what I prefer, all avrs benefit from a quality high powered external amp. Both 80.3 and 70.4 fail to put out enough power for my goals. That is just an opinion and my personal preference. I use my 4311 as a pre-amp only and cannot wait for the for the DHC-80.4 or .5 whatever the name is going to be.
To the OP if you plan on keeping this avr long term than get the 80.3 it is a high quality well built avr. It is one of the best avrs out.
Chris

What speakers? high or low sensitivity? It can/will play a difference on how the avr performs when driving 7 - 9 channels at once. 9 low sensitivity speakers would be difficult and would favor the 80.3
Edited by countryWV - 12/4/12 at 3:58pm

Iv'e Installed them both , I would strongly suggest looking over feature sets and see what serves you better. I don't see going wrong with either of them. They are both fantastic sounding and top notch receivers.
I really like the new DTR70.4 and would own one myself.

Honestly unless there is something about the DTR80.3 that you like over the DTR70.4, I would go for the DTR70.4. The only thing that holds me back in a case like this is I like having the flagship model , I don't like giving up a single feature. I'd rather have everything and not need it , then knowing I could have had it for pennies more.

Yes. I believe a lot of people under rate the quality factor in the amplification stage. A watt isn't really just a watt but the quality can vary. For example, my Audionote valve amp is only rated at 18w per channel but it will totally obliterate my Integra 80.3 in every aspect of sound quality depth, breadth and slam.

The reason I got the 80.3 was because I was not interested in getting a separate amp to drive my speakers so I wanted to make sure that the power supply could be as robust as possible. But it looks like a lot of people say that there is added quality to be had from running separate power amps and I believe them 100% because its also largely a quality issue. The size of the power supply and the quality of capacitors, internal cables etc all have a significant part to play in the end result.

Hi, I am new to this forum, normally I only read and not write, but I have seen various "not so very true" comments so time for some input....

First of all there will not be a DTR 80.4 And the DTR80.3 is end of the line and will be faded out.
The DTR70.4 will be the top of the line receiver. (It has more options then the DTR 80.3 so making a DTR80.4 does not make a lot of sense.
The DTR70.4 features Audyssey XT MusicEQ 32 (better than the Multi EQ of the former DTR70.3)

Had the DTR80.3 still existed, I would no doubt preferred the DTR70.4. The 70.4 has a full professional HDMI Matrix switch for 2 zones outside the 4 audio zones and better audiophile qualities then the DTR 80.3 (also 145 wpc instead of 140 wpc does not give you a lot of extra boom boom !)

Furthermore, the video signal is more superior in all areas (even if it must be upscaled)
The DTR70.4 is built from where the DTR80.3 stopped, and is not a replacement.
The MultEQ XT32 is the latest technology of Audyssey and applies a high resolution filtering technique on ALL channels (also on the subwoofer(s) - (this is not the case with the DTR80.3)
The Audyssey MultEQ XT32 also has "Dynamic Volume" what makes Audyssey LFC superfluous !

The DTR70.4 is the TOP RANGE receiver for me because:
A) the DTR80.3 does no longer exists and that there will no DTR80.4
B) the DTRP70.4 is sound wise and technologically better and higher than the DTR80.3

What to expect in the near future:
As you know, blu-ray the is the last ''real'' carrier. In the future, the download techniques, will become more and more popular and important. Now we have FLAC (+ newcomer Apple APLAC). To accompany Integra A / V receivers it will therefore be most likely that Integra will introduce "streamers" (with or without attached NAS) in the very near future.

The DTR 70.4 retails for € 3250,- and the DTR 80.3 € 3000,- in Europe.

Since there is no thread for my 50.4 i will post here since mine is just a less power and equipped version of the 80.X & 70.X
What type of settings do you like to use with your receivers?
My setup is all Bowers and Wilkins and is a 5.0 as of right now.
- CM9's in Front (Full Range)
- CM5's as the Rear (~60Hz 2-way)
-CM Centre 2 as the Center (Full Range 3-way)
- No Sub yet

I've been told to set to Dolby PLII or anything Dolby but there are so many types.
Here are my avaible selections, I know to each there own but which is the most immerse or quality surround?
- Dolby PLII Movie
- Dolby PLII Movie (TV Logic)
- Dolby PLII Movie (THX Cinema)
- DTS Neo:X Cinema
- DTS Neo:X Cinema (THX Cinema)

Thank you for any help.

And a another good question is, would it make more sense to get the Onkyo TX-NR5010? Save a $1000 for the exact same tech? Also, the 5010 has a shielded toroidal transformer and the 70.4 DOES NOT! And the 80.3 DOES have it. To me, that's a HUGE difference in sound quality. I have an older 7.9 that does not have a huge transformer and there is a definite lack of punch in the demanding parts of movie soundtracks. When I added a friends Emotiva external power amp, my system seemed to breathe and come to life.

So for what that's worth, I would get the 80.3 or the Onkyo 5010. Good luck!
Edited by Cps7553 - 2/10/13 at 9:20am