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Although Integra Research was not bashful about showing off their proposed successor to the highly acclaimed RDC-7 pre/pro at a trade show earlier this year, they have been less than forthcoming about several details:
1) what will the final product look like? (The front panel of the mock up at the show was virtually identical to the current model's.)
2) what will be the "real world" features and pricing of the various configurations of the new model?
3) when will the new model actually be available for sale to consumers? Every time anyone calls Integra Research, it seems they get a different answer. All we know for certain is that it is not available today. :>)
4) Will Integra Research offer current RDC-7 owners a "trade-up" or "rebuild" program similar to what Lexicon and Theta have offered their owners in the past? There have been conflicting reports about that, ranging from "absolutely not, since we'd have to include Integra and Onkyo top-of-the-line receiver owners, too, and it would just be too expensive to do" to "we're thinking about it, due to the firestorm this product announcement caused in light of previous advertising that the RDC-7 was 'future-proof'" to "we're going to do it and it'll be free" (the least likely, but most appealing to current owners, of the alternatives).
5) What impact will the pending model have on any future upgrades to the RDC-7 ? How far will they take the existing model into the promised "future" that it was supposed to be "proofed" against? :>) Firewire (for DVD-A only, or will SACD be supported)? What about ProLogic IIx? El cheapo receivers are getting that -- why can't a sort-of high end pre/pro be upgraded with it? And etcetera.
6) Does anyone at Integra Research tell their telephone support people (or their customers) anything about anything? Their answers tend to be along the lines of: "we haven't been told anything about that " or "visit the web site for further details that will be posted sometime later" or "we have that under consideration but no official word yet", etcetera.
Now rumors are in circulation that the new RDC-7.1 model won't be out until next year, and no final word on when (or even IF) there will actually be an upgrade to the current RDC-7.
Meanwhile, enjoy your music and movies with what you've got!
Burke
PS - Anyone care to share what they've heard/read on these subjects recently?
1) what will the final product look like? (The front panel of the mock up at the show was virtually identical to the current model's.)
2) what will be the "real world" features and pricing of the various configurations of the new model?
3) when will the new model actually be available for sale to consumers? Every time anyone calls Integra Research, it seems they get a different answer. All we know for certain is that it is not available today. :>)
4) Will Integra Research offer current RDC-7 owners a "trade-up" or "rebuild" program similar to what Lexicon and Theta have offered their owners in the past? There have been conflicting reports about that, ranging from "absolutely not, since we'd have to include Integra and Onkyo top-of-the-line receiver owners, too, and it would just be too expensive to do" to "we're thinking about it, due to the firestorm this product announcement caused in light of previous advertising that the RDC-7 was 'future-proof'" to "we're going to do it and it'll be free" (the least likely, but most appealing to current owners, of the alternatives).
5) What impact will the pending model have on any future upgrades to the RDC-7 ? How far will they take the existing model into the promised "future" that it was supposed to be "proofed" against? :>) Firewire (for DVD-A only, or will SACD be supported)? What about ProLogic IIx? El cheapo receivers are getting that -- why can't a sort-of high end pre/pro be upgraded with it? And etcetera.
6) Does anyone at Integra Research tell their telephone support people (or their customers) anything about anything? Their answers tend to be along the lines of: "we haven't been told anything about that " or "visit the web site for further details that will be posted sometime later" or "we have that under consideration but no official word yet", etcetera.
Now rumors are in circulation that the new RDC-7.1 model won't be out until next year, and no final word on when (or even IF) there will actually be an upgrade to the current RDC-7.
Meanwhile, enjoy your music and movies with what you've got!
Burke
PS - Anyone care to share what they've heard/read on these subjects recently?
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