DTC-9.8, THX Ultra2, 7.1-Channel 3-Zone Preamplifier/Processor

[Hdale85]

Thats why I was asking what you meant by output I figured thats what it was. It's an amazing Pre/Pro for the buck though.I can't wait till I get it. But first I'm getting an amp to go with it. I'll be upgrading from a receiver to a pre/pro amp setup so makes more sense to get amp first.

[ayrton]

Thats why I was asking what you meant by output I figured thats what it was. It's an amazing Pre/Pro for the buck though.I can't wait till I get it. But first I'm getting an amp to go with it. I'll be upgrading from a receiver to a pre/pro amp setup so makes more sense to get amp first.

Sounds exciting!

Please keep us updated on your build.

[DrJRapp]

Thats why I was asking what you meant by output I figured thats what it was. It's an amazing Pre/Pro for the buck though.I can't wait till I get it. But first I'm getting an amp to go with it. I'll be upgrading from a receiver to a pre/pro amp setup so makes more sense to get amp first.

If you get your amp first do yourself a favor and get one with balanced inputs. The DTC9.8's balanced outputs are really really quiet.

[Hdale85]

Yeah but my cables will be less then a meter long...so not sure it'll make a huge difference. But chances are I'll be building an amp possibly so balanced inputs are possible.

[DrJRapp]

Yeah but my cables will be less then a meter long...so not sure it'll make a huge difference.

neither was I but it does......I tried mine both ways with 1m ICs of similar quality.

[clewlor]

Hi all - has anyone had an opportunity to demo this unit or buy it? I am considering selling my Classe SSP-300 and buy one of these (ready to move to a hi def format and I can get one of these and a new sub for almost all of the price of selling the Classe). Would like to hear any thoughts/comments on what they think of the DTC-9.8 or the Onkyo Pro unit.

[Audiophiliac]

Weve got one in the store...with the big amp. I havent had a chance to really listen to it, but we had it powering a Martin Logan 5.1 system for a demo event we had last week. It was a big hit. I think for the money and options, its a no-brainer. We just picked up INtegra and so far, I am very impressed.

[Audiophiliac]

Hi all - has anyone had an opportunity to demo this unit or buy it? I am considering selling my Classe SSP-300 and buy one of these (ready to move to a hi def format and I can get one of these and a new sub for almost all of the price of selling the Classe). Would like to hear any thoughts/comments on what they think of the DTC-9.8 or the Onkyo Pro unit.

Selling Classe to get Integra? Why not sell your SSP-300 and get the SSP-800 which will be out shortly and do all HD audio formats? :T

[clewlor]

Yeah, it sounds crazy but there are a number of reasons I might do it (not 100%). Have I been as happy as I thought I would be with it? No. Is it an excellent pre/pro? Great sound, for sure.

If I upgraded to the SSP-800 I think my wife would cleave me. Probably a lot more than I want to spend.

Yes, that's spelled correctly - cleave.

[AVspec]

Picked up the 9.8 yesterday...

OK, so yesterday I stopped to pick up a lottery ticket for the Powerball and a few short hours later I managed to snag up a DTC-9.8... so if my luck holds out I should be hitting the Powerball tomorrow night.

Here are some pics (no I am not trying to rub it in... well maybe a little. )











And its final resting place....






I do have one quick question!?!?!?

How do you get the OSD to output on the composite video and still pass the HDMI thru the DTC-9.8? I have a AMX system and I need the OSD to go to my touch panels...

Also should I be able to send DVD-A and SACD via HDMI to the DTC-9.8??? I tried but was unsuccessful....

[Chris D]

AVSpec, what are you using for a player to send DVD-A and SACD to the 9.8?

[blownrx7]

Also should I be able to send DVD-A and SACD via HDMI to the DTC-9.8??? I tried but was unsuccessful

Only if the player outputs SACD or DVD-A out on the hdmi port - Most do not.

I think only the Oppo has that capability but I could be wrong.
Anyone else know of other players that outout sacd and dvd-a out on the hdmi port?

[AVspec]

I am using a Denon 1930 which in the setup menu says it will send multi-channel out the HDMI. I might have to call Denon tech support and see what they have to say.

[AVspec]

Anyone find new firmware yet?

[Hdale85]

I can't wait to pick this up next year at tax time :B

[mitch57]

If you can find one that is... I've had mine on order since the beginning of August. Still no sign of it.

[Hdale85]

Well won't be purchaseing until like Feb or March. So should be able to find one by then.

[mattburk]

Aside from cosmetics, what are the differences between the integra and onkyo unit?

[Chris D]

Geez, Mitch, where did you order from?

Matt, I think it's all there on the websites. From what I remember, the Integra has a few additional features like balanced connectors.

[gostan]

Geez, Mitch, where did you order from?

Matt, I think it's all there on the websites. From what I remember, the Integra has a few additional features like balanced connectors.

Actually, the Integra and Onkyo spec sheets indicate that they are fairly identical except that Onkyo has something called "Pure Direct" and the Integra has "Stereo Direct". I think that the Pure Direct shuts off all video circuitry. I am not sure about Stereo Direct.

Aesthetically, the front panels and displays are a bit different. And, it is rumored (not confirmed) that the Integra uses a few better sourced internal audio components.

Good luck finding either as they are each seriously back-ordered to next year for new purchasers.

[Hdale85]

I believe the Onkyo unit you guys are talking about also has balanced inputs? Maybe you guys are talking about a different one. The Onkyo I'm talking about is like exactly identical to the DTC-9.8 but Onkyo stuff can be purchased online so you can find a really good deal on it. Integra can only be purchased in stores.

[mitch57]

Geez, Mitch, where did you order from?

Matt, I think it's all there on the websites. From what I remember, the Integra has a few additional features like balanced connectors.

I ordered from a local custom installer but I checked everywhere within about a 100 miles of where I live and none of the dealers have any.

I'm not the only one. Most who have ordered one still haven't received it. Ordered and not received is the "rule" and not the "exception" in the Integra 9.8's case.

The general consensus is scarce availability of parts and firmware updates prior to shipment from the factory to resolve some reon video processor issues.

[Chris D]

Wow, interesting.

[AVspec]

From what I have been told from a rep, one of the boards used has to be hand built (it can not be built by pick & place robots) so that is why it is taking so long. Also they under estimated demand for the product. So take those two things and combine and this is what you get, a big back log of orders.

Edit: If you think this unit has caused a lot of comment -- only 147 pages of it at another site. End edit.

I did the firmware upgrade on my unit. It was very easy. It adds adjustments for the Reon processing.

[gostan]

From what I have been told from a rep, one of the boards used has to be hand built (it can not be built by pick & place robots) so that is why it is taking so long. Also they under estimated demand for the product. So take those two things and combine and this is what you get, a big back log of orders.

Edit: If you think this unit has caused a lot of comment -- only 147 pages of it at another site. End edit.

I did the firmware upgrade on my unit. It was very easy. It adds adjustments for the Reon processing.

There appear to be a number of units being delivered this past week. I suspect that they were held back waiting for the FW update to be installed prior to release.

[springer49]

I ordered mine Sept 2nd and I am still waiting. I was told by my dealer that they were in a worldwide backorder because of something to do with the video processing boards. Hopefully it gets here soon or I might have to buy something to hold me over until it arrives. ( I sold my processor on Audiogon and now I am without)

[Chetk]

What does the ethernet port on this unit do right now? Anything?

I bought a Philips Pronto Pro TSU9600 to control this thing and I really don't want to have to get 2-way communication it via the RS232 port. What are the chances I'll be able to get that 2-way communication via IP? Where would I go to find out more about that?

[Chetk]

Ah, here it is:

INTEGRATION ACCESS:

Ethernet (E-control, AMX Device Discovery) (4)

[mitch57]

Ah, here it is:

I'm interested to hear how well the TSU 9600 works with this unit. Will it use the RS232 codes to control it through IP?

By the way, I have all the discrete IR and RS232 codes for the 9.8 if anyone needs them. I still haven't received my unit yet either. I sure hope it has the latest firmware that just came out for it so I don't have to deal with updating it when I get it.

[AVspec]

Codes

I would like a copy of the RS232 codes.

[AVspec]

Anyone know if the Multichannel inputs can have post processing added to it... like delay, THX, etc...?

[mitch57]

Anyone know if the Multichannel inputs can have post processing added to it... like delay, THX, etc...?

No. They can't. They are pass through only with the exception of volume control.

[AVspec]

No. They can't. They are pass through only with the exception of volume control.

Thanks mitch.

I also sent you a PM.

[mitch57]

Thanks mitch.

I also sent you a PM.

You have mail.

[Chetk]

Here are the codes to communicate with the 9.8 via Ethernet or RS-232. Just take a look at the second tab called “PROTOCOL”, line 57, there are instructions for controlling the 9.8 over Ethernet.

I got my 9.8 yesterday. Hooked it up, but forgot that I don't have an HDMI cable. So, I was only able to hook things up via component and digital optical.

Went and bought an HDMI cable today. All I can say is :E . I can't believe it! :T I watched a few scenes of Disney's Cars in TrueHD and we finished watching Vacancy in lossless audio.
:bluezoned: :jawdrop:

[Chetk]

Now, where can I get the latest firmware or at least find out if I have the latest?

[Chris D]

Banana for you, Chet! :banana:

[mitch57]

Now, where can I get the latest firmware or at least find out if I have the latest?

The latest firmware is Main Firmware version 1.04. You can check to see if you have the latest by powering the unit on and then hold the DISPLAY button and press STANDBY/ON.

If you don't have the latest firmware PM me and I will send it to you.

[randyman]

I'm guessing by the lack of people posting that they have this unit that there still must be a huge backlog of these? I'm having difficulty locating one locally. People just tend to laugh when I inquire of the availability!

[mitch57]

You hit the nail on the head. I ordered mine on August 14th. Still no sign of it anywhere. I'm beginning to think that Onkyo/Integra won't even be able to fill the back orders until sometime next year at this rate.

[randyman]

mitch,

Noticed your a pacific northwest person. There are a couple I've found in stock around me that aren't spoken for, where are you located?

[Hdale85]

I'm hoping they are more available around feb when I plan on buying. I may just have to go with a HDMI1.3 receiver and use it as a pre/pro. Thats my big shopping month of the year. Plan on picking up a new T.V thats going to be anywhere from 1300-2500 (Panny Plasma or high end RPTV) also if its available then the new dual format samsung HD player and some sort of pre/pro that does HDMI 1.3. Budget is about 4500 bucks. So lots to buy might start making budget decisions and while audio is high on my lists of quality you can get some really good quality low end recievers now a days. So going with one of the new onkyo 1.3 recievers that are in the 600 dollar range isn't such a bad deal.

[mitch57]

mitch,

Noticed your a pacific northwest person. There are a couple I've found in stock around me that aren't spoken for, where are you located?

I'm quite a ways north of you. I live about 75 miles north of Seattle, WA.

[randyman]

Mitch,

I'm an Anacortes body. Hey though, I do have to tell you that I have my unit in stock, but I'm still trying to decide if I want to go this route or towards the 805 unit as I'm using outboard amplification anyway. If I don't grab it, I could have your name put on it possibly? Just a thought.

[mitch57]

randyman,

That would be great. But I was told by another Oregon dealer that he couldn't ship across state lines because it would violate their agreement with Integra. I am interested though. You never know... Maybe they can sell to me.