As others around here obviously know already, :>) I am the satisfied owner of an Integra Research RDC-7.
After reading up on a lot of pre/pros, including the enticing Tag McLaren (although with no local dealer, I never got to actually see or hear one in person), and auditioning pre/pros from Meridian, Lexicon, Bryston, B&K, Parasound, Theta, Proceed, Sonic Frontiers/Anthem, I concluded that there was nothing else available that had the comprehensive features that I wanted (including direct analog bypass for all analog inputs) and exceptional listening quality at so a reasonable price.
I was initially put off by its strict adherence to THX-standard bass management, with a cutoff at 80hz. But after living with a competing unit in my home system for a week which offered more flexible bass management, but had serious problems in many other areas (including its less-than-satisfactory rendering of two channel music) I decided that my bass management “litmus test†was actually far less important than overall quality of performance, and reliable operating features.
With its plethora of inputs and user-selectable parameters for so many areas of its operation, the dealer warned me that this unit would require a lot of set up. But I didn't see "set up" of the Integra Research piece as a major obstacle. In fact, I had the major stuff connected and configured within about an hour after unpacking it, although the "fine tuning" continued intermittently for an extended period. For instance, I didn't wait to enter radio station call letters into the display before I started listening to music. :>) That proved to be fairly easy to do, though, once I got around to it.
I’ve tried out quite a few DVDs with differing soundtrack configurations to confirm this unit's pedigree as a first-rate surround sound processor. There are a lot of good reasons it got Stereophile Guide To Home Theater's "AAA" rating (a level it shared in its category only with two much pricier Meridian models). In addition to its rock-solid and effective surround processing, they have a direct analog 7.1 passthrough for DVD-Audio, with provision for a firewire digital connection when that standard is finalized. I also appreciate having a remote-selectable "direct" mode for every other input (a feature lacking in many competing models).
And I've replayed quite a few of the musical selections that I have been familiar with for years (in some cases decades) and so I know how they sound on a variety of systems. They all sound absolutely sensational via the RDC-7 -- full dynamics, detail, air and space around the individual instruments, expansive but not exaggerated soundstage -- and I've been listening for several hours a day now for over four months and NO STRAIN, NO FATIGUE -- just pure enjoyment. The RDC-7 qualifies as an extraordinarily competent audio preamplifier, a quality addition to the music reproduction chain in my system that includes Magnepan MG 3.6 main speakers driven by a BEL (Brown Electronics Lab) 1001 Mk V power amplifier. On digital sources, such as the digital outs of my CD transport (a Sony DVP-S7000 used exclusively for CD playback), the RDC-7’s outstanding 24/192 DACs, anti-jitter technology and upsampling breathe new life into Redbook CDs.
Although this unit has its own AC-3 RF demod input for LaserDisc, it also accepts the output from my Lexicon external demod unit, so I can hook up both my LD players without having to use a Y-adapter on the AC-3 input. (The competing model I had tried never accepted the output from the Lexicon, and lacked its own AC-3 RF input, which in addition to its harsh sound on music, was a deal killer.)
The RDC-7's FM tuner is excellent, far surpassing the built-in tuners in my previous receivers, and even besting the stand-alone tuners I've owned or auditioned. I do have to give some credit to the amazing Fanfare FM-2G antenna, which does a fine job of pulling in a clean signal in my suburban fringe reception area. But what the RDC-7 does with the signal is a step beyond what other tuners were capable of.
And the RDC-7 has a decent phono section which would probably be more than fine for casual listening and at least adequate for critical listening, and will certainly be OK for my 78 rpm turntable -- but even though the phono input sounds pretty good, I still prefer the sound I get via the Lehmann Black Cube as the phono stage. (With plenty of inputs, using that, too, is no problem either.)
On CD and LP I am hearing special details not heard before on some favorite recordings that do not distract, but rather add to the richness of the presentation and the fun of listening. I find that the RDC-7 has the right balance between "accurate and detailed" vs. "warm and musical". The RDC-7 delivers sound that is "warm" and "lush" when the material calls for it, but without sacrificing detail. However, when horns, for example, are brash and have bite, that sound is delivered accurately -- not mellowed over into a "psuedo-musical" mush. And movie soundtracks are better than ever -- a more cohesive surround sound field than I have had in my HT before.
I did the user-installable software upgrade shortly after it became available. (It comes on a CD-ROM, which also contains the addendum to the User Guide, and an RS-232 cable for connection of the RDC-7 to your computer was included in the kit.) The upgrade is “required†for “older†units (produced before July 2001) to get the benefits of Dolby Prologic II, (implemented here with the full set of adjustments in music mode), and a number of other goodies, including discrete DTS-ES.
The upgrade was reasonably priced, and went smoothly. Unlike some companies who never deliver, or only produce “bug fixes†as "upgrades", this upgrade’s timely release demonstrates the real commitment Integra Research has to fulfilling their promise of meaningful user-installable upgrades – and shows the wisdom of their designers in providing an architecture that allows updates without waiting for Motorola. :>)
Overall, I couldn't be more pleased. This one seems to have it all and do it all right. (With the singular exception of flexible x-over in its bass management. But there is still the possibility they might change the bass management options in a future software update.) And while I have been a bit concerned about the long term health and longevity of Integra Research as a brand, given their somewhat inept marketing, (have you ever seen a product-specific ad for any of their products, or tried to locate an authorized dealer?), "what the hey", this unit is SOOO GOOD I’m willing to enjoy it even if no one else hears about it. :>) And they are backed by Onkyo, so it isn't like a mom & pop boutique operation trying to hold on... and did I mention, I got a really good deal on it? :>)
In case you hadn’t deduced this already, I give it my highest recommendation. Any questions? ;>)
Burke
