Integra Research RDC-7 or Parasound Halo C2?

Ton1313,

Thanks for your reply, I went ahead and had my dealer order me an Integra Research RDC-7. It looks like I should be very happy with the it. Is your RDC-7 the upgrade-2 version? From your reply, this unit does a wonderful job for 2 channel music listening. How much of an improvement did you notice using the digital upsampling feature? How would you describe the sound of this controller with music(warm, bright, etc.)? And , how does it perform with movies?

Upgrade 2 version is correct, I shipped it out on a Monday and had it back by Friday. I like the upsampling feature, seems to me to have a little more in the low level detail department. The sound, I don't think can be described as warm or bright. I find it quite detailed, not quite warm like the tube sound I had with the CAL DAC. Movies are Top-notch! I did compaire it to the Sunfire Theater Grand II - and it was more detailed in both departments. I am totally satisfied with this unit, and will not be changing Pre's anytime soon. The unit has one of the best user interfaces I have used. VERY easy to set up and configure.

I hope you enjoy the unit.

What kind of Amplification, speakers, cables, source, etc. will you ve using?

Ton1313,

Right now the amp I'm using is a Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature series II, but I am considering going with the matching Integra Research RDA-7(any thought's?). Speakers are all Martin Logan(Aerius i, Cinema, Scenarios) except the 2 back center surrounds, which are Paradigm Mini Monitors, and the subs which are A/D/S MS3, Paradigm PS1000. Speaker cable is Monster Z1 with Monster Lock spade ends, with the front left and right in a dual run(shotgun) bi-wire configuration. Associated electronics and interconnects are:

Center Surround Amp: Sonance Sonamp 5150
CD Player: Sony CDP-XA20ES
DVD Player: Yamaha DVD-S2300
Bass Manager: Outlaw Audio ICBM-1(for use W/Yamaha for DVD-A/SACD)
LD Player: Pioneer DVL-919
CD RECORDER: Denon CDR-W1500
CASSETTE RECORDER: Sony TC-K707ES
MINIDISC PLAYER/RECORDER: Sony MDS-JE530
SATELLITE RECEIVER/TIVO RECORDER: SONY SAT-T60
SVHS VCR: JVC HR-S9911U

Inteconnects

BALANCED XLR CABLES: Cobalt Cable Ultimate Balanced XLR
INTERCONNECTS: Outlaw Audio PCA's, Monster Lightspeed 100 optical, Apature digital coax, Canare Professional SPDIF Digital Coax, Monster Cable 400 MKII
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What equipment and speakers do you use with your RDC-7?

My Current system:
Sony DVP-NS999ES DVD player
Integra Research RDC-7
Odyssey Stratos Amp (2 ch.) & Carver AV-505 Amp (5 ch.)
Zu Druid 2 Main speakers
Energy Surround speakers
Zu Retro subwoofer
Zu Ibis Speaker Cables, Zu Varial interconnects
Zu power cables
Toshiba 40H80 RPT.

I am very happy with this set up. The RDA-7 is supposed to be an amazing amp, but for the money, I would keep your 5 channel for center and surround duty, and look into a good 2 channel Amp & some better speaker cables and interconnects. The Odyssey can be had for under $1200 new. Speaker cables - I have tried all of Zu's speaker cables and think that they offer an excellent product for the money.

My wifes uncle hooked up an Sonic Frontiers Amp 2 with Straightwire Cresendo Speaker Cables, and Martin Logan Odyssey Speakers with great results. You could probably find this Amp & Cables used on the market for less than the RDA-7 Amp.

Hope this helps.