Product Review
 

Integra DTR-7.6 THX Select2 7.1 A/V Receiver

Part I

June, 2006

Ross Jones

Specifications:

 

● Codecs: THX Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital,
    Dolby Digital EX, DTS (ES, Neo:6, 96/24).
DACs: 24-Bit/192kHz D/A for all 8 channels
2 Zone operation
RS232 Port
Auto-calibration
XM Radio-ready
Power Output: 105 Watts x 7 into 8 Ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
THD: 0.08 %
● MFR: 5 Hz - 100 kHz

Dimensions:  6-13/16" H x 17-1/8" W x 16-7/8" D
Weight: 29.3 Pounds
MSRP: $1,400 USA

 

Integra

www.integrahometheater.com

 

Introduction

Home theater enthusiasts familiar with the Onkyo name may not realize that the company also makes a line of premium audio/video products, sold under the Integra brand. The Integra line focuses on custom installation, multi-room systems, including appropriately equipped A/V receivers. The DTR 7.6 is Integra's latest entry in an increasingly crowded market.

The DTR-7.6 is a THX-Select2 certified receiver with all the bells and whistles you would expect at a $1,400 list price. So the real question is how well the product executes these various features. The short answer is, exceptionally well.

Set-up

The front panel of DTR-7.6 is fairly busy, with several rows and combinations of buttons, although the choices and layout are well thought-out.

There are ten large input selection buttons, a six-button navigation menu area (in case you lose the remote), listening mode selector, and tone controls.

The Integra's multi-room capabilities are evident on the front panel, as a separate Zone 2 volume button is located just beneath the silver standby switch. Older eyes (such as mine) will appreciate the large blue LED readout on the front of the receiver, with a three-level dimmer control conveniently located just beneath the LED panel. There are also front-panel jacks for composite and S-Video, plus analog stereo and coaxial digital audio inputs for gamer and camcorder connections.

The Integra DTR-7.6 receiver is XM-Ready. This means that, with purchase of a separate antenna (about $50), and a subscription to XM, the DTR 7.6 acts as an XM satellite radio receiver. The antenna is plug-and-play, requiring only a clear line of sight to the satellite, and the receiver does the rest. I was impressed by the signal strength, which locked onto the signal even though the antenna was sitting on my window sill with the blinds fully closed.

The back panel sports the usual plethora of audio and video connections, so I'll focus on the ones of most interest to users of this receiver. The DTR 7.6 provides HDMI switching, with two HDMI inputs and a monitor HDMI monitor out. The Integra is one of the few receivers compatible with the HDMI v.1.1 spec, which means that you can pass hi-rez digital audio (DVD-A) through the cable (this is of particular interest to those exploring the enhanced audio codecs of high-def DVD players now coming onto the market). The DTR 7.6 also up-converts (transcodes) composite and S-Video to component video.

Click on the photo above to see a larger version.

Analog connections are gold-plated, and heavv-duty five-way binding posts are used for all seven main channels, plus two additional channels for Zone 2. Speaking of Zone 2, the Integra also includes a second subwoofer jack for use with the second zone, in case you want to use a powered subwoofer in another room. Plus, two IR-in jacks can be connected to an aftermarket IR receiver, allowing you to control the unit from either Zone 2 or in a hidden cabinet for custom installations.

There are separate stereo pre-outs for Zone 2, for use with a separate outboard amplifier, or you can assign two of the Integra's main channels for Zone 2 duty (which limits the main listening space to 5.1 channels rather than 7.1). You can listen to the same source in both zones, or assign a separate source for Zone 2. The second zone has its own independent bass, treble, balance, turn-on volume, and maximum volume. An RS-232 port for connecting to an external controller completes the picture. Clearly, Integra's Zone 2 capabilities are more inclusive than many other brands of receivers.

Lastly, the back panel also includes the now-requisite seven channel analog input (for DVD-A and SACD players), all seven channels routed through separate A/D and D/A converters. This means that the receiver provides full bass-management facilities for analog hi-rez multi-channel sources.

Click Here to Go to Part II.

© Copyright 2006 Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity
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