Receivers
| Integra DTR-7.8 A/V Receiver |
| Written by Ross Jones |
| Sunday, 06 April 2008 16:00 |
|
Page 4 of 4
Frequency As to IMD, it was about the same at the pre-out as at the speaker output, i.e., 0.03%.   THD+N vs. Frequency remained at acceptable levels from 10 Hz to 20 kHz, at the pre-out and at the speaker output for both 8 ohms and 4 ohms. At 4 ohms, distortion is a bit higher than at 8 ohms, which is to be expected. This is a new test script for the software (SpectraPlus) that we requested to be developed, and the results depend on the quality of the soundcard. The distortion curve here is approaching the limits of the card. Our Audio Precision test instrument is accurate to a much higher level, but we can't ship that around to the various writers.    The measured frequency response was within 3 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz. Obviously, there is a built-in steep roll-off above 23 kHz.   Conclusions The Integra DTR 7.8 seven-channel A/V receiver has cutting edge features such as HDMI 1.3a, and internal processing of the latest hi-resolution audio codecs. It offers THX Ultra2 certification at an amazingly low price, and most importantly, produces the clean, neutral sound that we’ve come to expect from Integra products. Integra has produced another winner here. Comments (19)
Audyssey Comment
written by ender21 , April 07, 2008 Good review! Though I wish there was a handy primer available for odd/even harmonics, harmonic distortion, etc., as I'm trying to learn as much as I can about that nowadays, and it's definitely *mostly* Greek to me at this point. FYI: Crossover determination happens via Onkyo/Integra, not Audyssey. Onkyo/Integra specified to Audyssey that any speaker whose -3dB point falls *below* 80Hz should be set to Full Range. Audyssey's policy is any speaker whose -3dB point falls below 40Hz would be better, but that decision is up to the manufacturer (Audyssey just reports the data to the 7.8, the rest is up to O/I), and 80Hz is what O/I chose, so that's why your surrounds were listed as Full Range by the 7.8.
Info
written by Elton Oliveira , April 07, 2008 Dear Sirs, Please, can you tell me the comparizon Integra 7.8 versus Onkyo 875? Best regards elton
...
written by Tyler , April 07, 2008 I highly question the measurements generated by the Spectraplus program, which apparently uses the computer sound card. It appears to me that either the setup or the sound card is determining the measurement results, not the Integra. I highly doubt the frequency response of the Integra looks anything like that. Bad measurement results are worse than no measurement results!
...
written by Stephen , April 08, 2008 It is essentially the same receiver as the 805 with a few tweaks around the edges such as more cross over frequencies. See the review here of the 805 for the video performance. It doesn't have the Reon video chip or 1080P scaling that the 875 has. Integra has no 875 equivalent the 8.8 matches the 905.
...
written by Stephen , April 08, 2008 Also, it uses the PCM-1796 chips not the top of the line PCM-1792 (it is second in line).
Another "which onkyo" request
written by ws , April 08, 2008 Hi- Great new testing approach. I need a primer on the test, too. Also, which Onkyo does this receiver map to? Thanks,
Integra quality
written by Ovation , April 08, 2008 I have an Integra DTR 6.4 and it has served me well for nearly four years now. In fact, it has served me so well that I am very reluctant to "upgrade", despite all the fancy new features the current line offers. I plan to go with a Sony S550 or the Panny BD50 Blu-ray player later in the year because they decode all the codecs AND have analogue MCH outputs--so my 6.4 can soldier on. But I have to admit, after reading this review, I'm mighty tempted by the 7.8. Does it re-digitize the MCH signal at the input so bass management/time alignment can be applied to it like my 6.4? I've come to appreciate that feature quite a bit (though I wish level settings were also applicable--can't have everything, I guess ;) ).
Deep color
written by jcc , April 08, 2008 The Sony rear projection A3000 were promoted as having deep color capabilities.
...
written by JEJ , April 08, 2008 Several products out there have deep color as part of their specs. There is no deep color programming yet though. However, that does not mean you shouldn't consider deep color specs when you buy a component, because deep color will eventually get here in the programming.
...
written by JEJ , April 08, 2008 We don't use the stock computer sound card. We use a Lynx fully balanced (XLR) card that is flat out to 96 kHz analog (24 bit - 192 kHz sampling). The sharp dropoff in frequency response in the Integra is not uncommon. It is due to a digital filter and its purpose is to keep out of band noise from interfering with the audible band. As more and more receivers start using switching amplifiers, I suspect such sharp filters will be the norm.
...
written by R. Jones , April 09, 2008 Ovation, the multi-channel inputs are not "re-digitized." Bass management and time-alignment are done through the HDMI port, which eliminates the additional A/D/A conversion.
...
written by JEJ , April 09, 2008 WS said, 'Great new testing approach. I need a primer on the test, too.' I will be describing our bench testing procedure in the Newsletter, the first of which will be sent out mid-April. Sign up for the Newsletter to get the information. It will eventually be in the Primer.
not good for legacy players like mine
written by Ovation , April 09, 2008 Well I guess I'll wait a while longer to upgrade. ;) I understand the desire to avoid the A/D/A process but my hi-res audio player does not have HDMI output and while it has internal BM for both DVD-A and SACD, the x-over is too high for DVD-A for my liking (100hz) and for SACD, there is no time alignment (the xover for SACD is at 80hz, but it is at a gentler slope than the receiver). My player does NOT convert DSD to PCM (hence the lack of time alignment), though I seem to recall a paper presented at an engineering society conference some years ago claiming that the Sony chip used for BM on SACD actually did an internal conversion DSD>PCM>DSD. I have no way of testing for that, nor do I care. I do know that having time alignment and a steeper slope outweighs the potential sonic degradation of a DSD to PCM via A/D/A conversion in my set up. The transparency of the conversion, coupled with the better mastering job done on most SACDs (I suspect the extra care taken with the production of most SACDs accounts for more of the improved SQ they have over redbook than the format itself--but that's obviously a point of contention) means that my SACDs still sound better than regular CDs, even with the conversions (presumably, an all digital path would be even better). In any rate, I'm into DVD-A and SACD primarily for the MCH aspect, so I want my receiver to do BM/TA on the signal as it is more flexible than my player. Whew--a long-winded way to say that if I have to upgrade my player as well as my receiver to maintain the kind of flexible BM/TA I currently enjoy, then I will be upgrading later rather than sooner. But I'm quite confident that my next HT (whether separates or a receiver) A/V processor will be an Integra as I'm very happy with my current one.
Onkyo/Integra pairings
written by Tyler , April 09, 2008 Integra 9.8 - Onkyo PR-SC885 (Onkyo Pro) Integra 8.8- Onkyo 875 Integra 7.8- Onkyo 805 Integra 6.8- Onkyo 705 Integra 5.8- Onkyo 605 I have not noticed any of the problems that some have reported with the Onkyo 805 with my Integra 7.8- no heat issues or audio lag issues on mine. The Integra gets warm after a few hours of punishment, but not nearly as much as the 805 counterpart. I also like the additional little tweaks such as smaller increments in crossover frequencies (e.g. 50-55-60 versus 50-60 on Onkyo).
...
written by Stephen , April 10, 2008 8.8 is the 905 not the 875, there is no Integra equivalent of that one
...
written by JEJ , April 11, 2008 Regarding the measured frequency response, here is what Paul Wasek, Marketing Manager - Integra had to say: 'If you have an analog connection and are in Direct or Pure Audio mode then the roll off is in the 100kHz range. In these modes you are bypassing the DSP. If you have an analog connection and are in any other mode other that Direct or Pure Audio, by default you are going through the DSP and the roll off will be in the 20kHz range If you have a digital connection in any mode then by default you are going through the DSP and the roll off will be in the 20kHz range.'
...
written by The Zolly Becker show , April 12, 2008 Firstly, The 7.8 is the 805 with the edition of an ethernet port. Secondly the 805, 875, 905, all use BurrBrown PCM1796 DAC's.
What about video tests?
written by Jim , April 13, 2008 Good review of the audio capabilities, but what about video? Some of us need to know before we buy whether a receiver has a true pass through for HD video over HDMI, or whether it manipulates the signal in some way. For example, it looks like some models will only pass standard levels (16-235) and hence are useless if you want to feed them full range (0-255). See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...?t=1010178
Integra 7.8 versus Marantz 8002?
written by JWB , July 09, 2008 How would you rate the Integra versus the Marantz 8002? The Marantz being newer on the market, but lacking upscaling of video... Marantz being focused on audio performance versus the quality bild of the integra... etc... Hope you can elaborate on differences and details. Kind regards, JWB Write comment
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
