Diminishing Returns In A Hi-End Preamp/Processor?

Jdub,

You've asked the one really tricky question that I'm reluctant to answer.

Honestly, I thought that the Integra sounded very good in Analog Direct, and it impressed me as a "traditional" preamp. However, there were times that the Meridian (on direct A/B) sounded better to me. On other occasions, I thought they were closer. I liked the Anthem in analog mode, too. If I were planning to use the unit in this mode -ultimately, I concluded that I was not - I would have done further auditioning before buying. Once I decided that Analog Mode performance wasn't a real factor in the decision, I pulled the trigger on the least expensive XT32 unit out there (Onkyo).

Marty

That's good enough! I' shall try to compare the two in this regard first, sounds like it may be close enough to get the job done, only problem I see now is getting my hands on a Onkyo 5508 but they are hard to find, any word on the 5509 hitting the States soon? I may have to pony up for the 80.3

Marty,

Is Audessey XT-32 active in the Analog Direct mode with the Integra or Onkyo processors? The Cary Cinema 11a does volume control and converts unbalanced inputs to differentially balanced outputs, but mostly turns off other processing in bypass mode.

Using analog input eliminated the pops, clicks, and delayed starts I experienced with HDMI when playing discs, but that may be just a problem with the Cary implementation of HDMI.

When I auditioned an Integra 80.1, I relistened to the same discs on my system with the Proceed PAV/PDSD within 10 minutes and concluded the sense of "air" and transparency was missing with the Integra, so i bought the Cary. In retrospect, there were so many differences in the auditioned system and my system, my judgement was hopelessly confounded.

Unless, memory confounds (I haven't used Analog Direct since I bought the unit) Analog Direct kills all audio DSP, including the x-over and Audyssey.

I do recall auditioning the Integra in Analog Direct mode using a CD source and the big Gallo 5 LS speakers without subwoofers, but I can't recall which power amps were in the chain. I thought it sounded very good for a solid state pre-amp and was pretty impressed. However, when we switched out of Analog Direct and engaged Audyssey, the bottom octaves cleaned up instantly and the mid-seemed more articulate and detailed,too.

It was not much shy of complete transformation, in my book.

In the end, FOR ME, Analog Direct became a great idea, but one that I knew would be of little to no practical use to me, so I just kinda ignored it.

Marty