Integra... not much said. No love? Or not much better than Onkyo?

[myu701]

Integra has some major kick-butt receivers out there... Seems mostly the upper end on up to the TOTL is where it's at. Some cheaper Integra receivers are overshadowed in specifications by Onkyo receivers of slightly higher price.

I don't really understand exactly where Integra is supposed to fit. I've been told it is the "higher end Onkyo"... But is this brand just a clever rebadging/recostuming of Onkyo components at equivalent prices? It's not like Toyota and Lexus, whereby there's only 1 model that overlaps (TOTL Toyota = BOTL Lexus). Looks to me like they have a lot more overlap. Or is that time period specific?

Also, are there any Integra models one should avoid? Any that have a sub par reputation? :scratch2:

EDIT:
Sorry, it was late... somehow my neural wires crossed and I wrote "Denon" instead of "Onkyo" (although I had it right in the title). Edited to correct the mistake.

 

[dr*audio]

Integra is a higher end Onkyo, not Denon. whoever told you that is wrong.
I am not much of a surround sound fan, but Integra made some wonderful 2 channel equipment. You will get much more of a response in other forums. I have 2 Integra CD players, an A-8087 integrated amp, a Grand Integra M-508 amp, and a T-4087 tuner that are very fine pieces of equipment, with great sound and specs.

 

[whoaru99]

Yeah, Integra is a brand of Onkyo.

I've seen a number of people say the newer Integra HT stuff is essentially repackaged Onkyo guts. The main differences are the appearance, somewhat different feature sets enabled, and longer warranty.

Doesn't make it bad...just what differentiates Integra from Onkyo.

 

[dr*audio]

I don't know about the new stuff, but the older Integra models from the 1990's were a different breed from Onkyo equipment. While Onkyo stuff is well made and sounds better than most mid - fi equipment, the Integra sounds like high end without the high price.

 

[emoxley]

It's also my understanding that you can't buy Integra online. You must buy from a dealer in a B&M store........

 

[myu701]

Sorry about "Denon" slipping in there... wires inside my head must've crossed.

Anyway, thanks for responding. Generally I'd heard Integra receivers tend to be better made than Onkyo, but I'm curious to hear from owners about their experiences with Integra's.

It's also my understanding that you can't buy Integra online. You must buy from a dealer in a B&M store........

Actually, you can buy on-line... used, of course.

 

[terra1]

I got my Integras the old fashioned way ... reading magazine reviews and auditioning at hi-fi stores. No forums like this at the time.

I read specs and reviews and compared comparable brands. I ended up with an Onkyo TX-SV909Pro AV Receiver with Ambisonic decoder that works well on plain music, Onkyo 1055FII direct drive turntable, DX-C909 changer, TA-2090 cassette deck (sometimes compared to Naks). Boston Acoustics VR40 front speakers and a BA VR12 center channel. Not all at once. Auditioned the matching BA VR500 subwoofer but thought an M&K was tighter, didn't get either one though. Didn't need it for an apartment at that time. But I figured it would be my last big new system to last me a decade ... and it did ... a second ... and a ... Everything still works.

 

[myu701]

Well, I ended up getting an Integra after all. It was a toss-up between that at a Harman Kardon. The Integra was nabbed at $80 cheaper. Very solid build. The interface takes a little getting used to but works well. Sound quality seems clear with respectable presence. My intent is to use it primarily for TV/Movie watching, which I think it'll serve just fine. But it'll be interesting to see how it holds up to a good quality old school stereo amplifier.

 

[kappa7krazy]

What model # is the integra?

 

[myu701]

The DTR 6.5, 7.1 channel.

 

[SpotcheckB]

Integra is Onkyo's premier line and is primarily intended to be sold by B&M stores that specialize in custom installation. They usually have a few more features that are aimed at the installer market and come with a better warranty, although they are priced higher than the Onkyo line

I had an ASV-810PRO since the early 1990's that operated flawlessly, but I've very recently retired it in favor of a DTR-80.1 which is their flagship AVR. This thing is so loaded with features that after three weeks I'm still learing its capabilities. So far, I'm quite impressed with both its sound quality and its flexibility! I've been temporarily running it in my 5.1 channel HT up to now, but the installers are scheduled for tomorrow AM to finish the upgrade to my new 9.1 channel system. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement.

I'll post when it's completed with system details and my impressions of this new installation if anybodys interested.

Cheers,
SpotcheckBilly

 

[Infinitoid]

The DTR 6.5, 7.1 channel.

Looks a lot like my recently acquired, like new, excellent in every way, unbelievably bargain priced (you don't want to know), and sadly outdated Onkyo TX-SR702.

Hey, HDMI is just a fad. Right?

 

[Whiplash]

I got my Integras the old fashioned way ... reading magazine reviews and auditioning at hi-fi stores. No forums like this at the time.

True story!
Integra is a great product. You can match it with some of the cheaper Onkyo lines if you do not want to pay for the name and face features.
With surround and room correction, it is at its best!

 

[srinath]

Me too

I got my Integras the old fashioned way ... reading magazine reviews and auditioning at hi-fi stores. No forums like this at the time.

I read specs and reviews and compared comparable brands. I ended up with an Onkyo TX-SV909Pro AV Receiver with Ambisonic decoder that works well on plain music, Onkyo 1055FII direct drive turntable, DX-C909 changer, TA-2090 cassette deck (sometimes compared to Naks). Boston Acoustics VR40 front speakers and a BA VR12 center channel. Not all at once. Auditioned the matching BA VR500 subwoofer but thought an M&K was tighter, didn't get either one though. Didn't need it for an apartment at that time. But I figured it would be my last big new system to last me a decade ... and it did ... a second ... and a ... Everything still works.

I got a 909 pro and a ta 2090 too, but I thought they were from 3 different decades. 909 is 01-03 or so ,the 2090 is 80's I thought. The rest I got no clue.
Cool.
Srinath.

 

[terra1]

I got a 909 pro and a ta 2090 too, but I thought they were from 3 different decades. 909 is 01-03 or so ,the 2090 is 80's I thought. The rest I got no clue.
Cool.
Srinath.

You must have the 909 confused with later models. The 909 was introduced earlier then 2001-03.

from ONKYO
http://www.us.onkyo.com/company_history.cfm
1987 ONKYO gains a strong reputation in the United States as an AV receiver manufacturer.

The TX-SV7M AV receiver equipped with Dolby Surround decoding starts selling. The lineup of quality products is topped by the super-deluxe and best-selling TX-SV909PRO.

 

[myu701]

Looks a lot like my recently acquired, like new, excellent in every way, unbelievably bargain priced (you don't want to know), and sadly outdated Onkyo TX-SR702.

Hey, HDMI is just a fad. Right?

Yeah, looks very similar. I wouldn't be surprised if specifications are close if not identical, between some Integra/Onkyo models.

Funny thing is... like horsepower with cars, it seems the A/V receiver makers keep going for more wattage is better. How about cleaner and more efficient wattage?

An HDMI receiver simplifies component connections and makes it possible to have multiple A/V sources easily piped through one connection to your TV, a necessity for a single HDMI input TV. However, there are HDMI switching boxes that can bridge this purpose. In the end, what really matters is quality amplification. True, there are some new advanced sound processing techniques only available through an HDMI connection, but I think they're overkill. Who is really going to be bothered by sound movement limited to a [=] pattern versus a dynamic choice of [=] or [X] patterns? How many movies will really take advantage of it anyway?

Look at 3D... "Avatar" revitalized the 3D movie genre, but for how long? People have enjoyed the novelty but it is slowly wearing off because of the exorbitant prices. Thus, if the movie industry reacts and few 3D movies come out, then those new 3D TV's costing a few hundred dollars more than 2D TV's will be for naught.

 

[Mayor]

Any of you guys read or know much about the Integra DTR-30.1? Don't have a surround setup yet - just two Infinity CS-3007s. Replaced an old outdated Sony STR-DE675, and so far so good. The Integra is basically in new condition, and set me back $300. How do you guys feel about their stuff from a music-listening perspective?

 

[michaelhigh]

I had an Onkyo AV receiver back in the 90's , with a remote control. Man that sucker was big and heavy. It sounded fantastic.

 

[Infinitoid]

Any of you guys read or know much about the Integra DTR-30.1? The Integra is basically in new condition, and set me back $300. How do you guys feel about their stuff from a music-listening perspective?

Looks great, and if it sounds anything like my Onkyo 702 you will be very pleased. Start now saving up for some center/surround speakers that will do it justice and that will complement your main speakers. That may take time and testing. Those CS-3007s of yours once listed for 1200/pair.

 

[jt45]

Yeah, looks very similar. I wouldn't be surprised if specifications are close if not identical, between some Integra/Onkyo models.

Funny thing is... like horsepower with cars, it seems the A/V receiver makers keep going for more wattage is better. How about cleaner and more efficient wattage?

An HDMI receiver simplifies component connections and makes it possible to have multiple A/V sources easily piped through one connection to your TV, a necessity for a single HDMI input TV. However, there are HDMI switching boxes that can bridge this purpose. In the end, what really matters is quality amplification. True, there are some new advanced sound processing techniques only available through an HDMI connection, but I think they're overkill. Who is really going to be bothered by sound movement limited to a [=] pattern versus a dynamic choice of [=] or [X] patterns? How many movies will really take advantage of it anyway?

Look at 3D... "Avatar" revitalized the 3D movie genre, but for how long? People have enjoyed the novelty but it is slowly wearing off because of the exorbitant prices. Thus, if the movie industry reacts and few 3D movies come out, then those new 3D TV's costing a few hundred dollars more than 2D TV's will be for naught.

HDMI is considerably better since most of the new components arent even
using the old standard. It also offers up real PCM and Bitstream, not to mention getting rid of the tangle of cables that most have behind their AVR
It is good to have a single input switchable from one source, although there are lots of other devices for that do the same thing, I prefer getting all these features through my AVR. IMO future components will all be HDMI . Within a year 3D will be just another feature, I believe streaming content will be the next major player in most HT setups. Thats why HDMI is becoming so popular connecting all of our devices.