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Best SSP - Upgrade from Integra DTC 9.8

Am wrestling through some issues with a (second) Integra DTC 9.8. Looking for opinions on potential replacements.
It feeds a Classe' CA-5200, which drives B&W 802Ds, center and surrounds. Pioneer Elite 9G for video.

Used fair amount for music, also movies and TV.

I care about quality, want high performance and reliability. Thought Integra was a bargain for its features. Not sure it is my problem, but my guess is it will have to go.

Thanks
guybguy
elevick
2,638 posts
 
I have no clue with the Audyssey Eq. What I do have experience with is pre-pros. I have had in my system Integra, Onkyo, Denon, B&K, yamaha, Anthem and currently a sherbourne 7010/A.
Quality electronics, quality wiring, great DAC's (dual crystals in the sherbourne) and nice power supplies beat the insane amount of feature stuffed into the Asian gear.
All things being equal, guybguy's system is really nice and will easily benefit from a quality front end. The integra is a nice piece FOR THE MONEY. If you are listening to basic audio or simple 5.1 theater and don't need the gimmicks, I'll take a stripped down high end piece over an Integra with tons of features.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,703 posts
 
Of course, it is hard to advise since Guybguy never told us what, exactly, he lacks and what he is looking for in sound and/or video.

Kal
guybguy OP
21 posts
 
I am looking for excellent sound (HT, SACD, CD) and video (SC and HD).
I did not start the thread due to seeking specific audio or video improvements. Have not had time to get upgrade-itis over this component yet. What prompted the question was the phenomenon of having video drop out while watching either Blu-Ray or DVD sources. So long as I am questioning the unit, I am interested in understanding what the alternatives look (or sound) like.
Whether I make a change now or later, I appreciate the thoughts and insights.
iplaynaked
193 posts
 
Kr4, thank you for the response
Elevick, I totally appreciate where you are coming from, and I too have owned some very excellent AV pre's over the years, sans any EQ and/or processing. I've had the krell 5.1, Macintosh MX130, Mac3, Aragon Soundstage, Upgraded Acurus Act3, and others (I've used/sold many others, including Meridian, Cal Audio Labs, Theta, etc). What intrigues me thought, as an acoutical guy, is the HUGE sonic benefits offered by these newer DSP teqnologies!
Yes, parmateric EQ's can help with issues you could only fix with lots of acoustical treatments, in many smaller rooms. And yet they can only do so much compared to what something like the Audyssey is bringing to the table from my findings! - it makes that much of a difference, as to say it might be a bigger improvement in the sound than, well, quality electronics themselves!!!
So, you put together otherwise funamentally quality hi-end gear with that kind of acoutical advantage (built in), and you have the potential for some mind blowing sound, I believe!
Kr4, thanks for the update (haven't looked on audyssey's website for listings of what's out there recently). I'll loook into the Sim and Wisdom stuff.
mel221
1 posts
 
Guybguy - regarding video dropouts with the Integra...

I recently put an Integra 9.8 into a system that had been working fine for over a year. I also experienced video dropouts. It took a while, but after I upgraded my 8meter HDMI cable ($400), the video problem was resolved. Not happy about that upgrade, but it is a longish run.

I have concluded that the integra 9.8 requires high quality HDMI cables.
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