Integra Research RDC-7 or Parasound Halo C2?

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.

Ton1313,

Thanks for your input, I checked out the Odyssey Stratos amp and the Zu cable speaker wire, both are very nice. How much power does the Odyssey Stratos amp put out @ 4ohms? And is it stable down to 2 ohms? This definitely gives me something to chew on, thanks for sharing. My RDC-7 was supposed to of been here today(oh well, maybe tomorrow), once I get it and have it up and running, I'll let you know what I think of it.

The Stratos, I think goes to 250 at 4 ohms. I did take it to my wifes uncle, and listen to it with his martin logans, and it sounded just fine. Hope that helps.

Re the amp the key is you want a truly balanced amp. The Integra Pre uses fully balanced outputs , as it was co designed by BAT, Onkyo and Apogee. Truly balanced amps I know of are of course The Integra, BAT , Classe, which I own in two channel, Krell fully balanced and Im sure there are more, but not all amps are fully balanced. Read the complete review of the RDC-7 in Stereophiles Guide to Home Theater Feb 2001 , available online, and you will fully understand the benefit of the Integra Research RDC-7 combined with a truly balanced amp.