Thread: Finally got my Integra back from repair

And I guess I am glad I got the Integra version and not the matching Onkyo since it looks like the main difference is really the 3 year vs 1 year warranty.

Apparently, my 30.3 fell victim to the same thing many others with the same xx.x series of Integra units fail for. The main HDMI board just goes for no reason. I rarely watch more than 1 movie a week utilizing my HT setup and this receiver.

I went with Integra after a Harman Kardon unit failed. My first stereo was an Onkyo back in the 70s and I am still using a very good Cassette Deck from when they were still labeled Onkyo Integra. So I thought I would have similar experience with a newer Integra unit. Oh well, I just hope they replaced the board with one that was not from the same failed Quality Control run when they slapped them together.

I set it up with all Dynaudio Audience and my Mirage Omni sub. 82s, 42s, and the 122c. Luckily all my major settings were still intact and I only needed to run the Audyssey setup and adjust the bass.

After setup, I usually use the Train Crash from Super 8 to check things out. What an awesome scene with train cars flying everywhere, with the sounds to make you jump out of your chair several times.

It's great to be able to watch movies in surround again.

Brian

Sure is nice when warranty can fix the issue. Enjoy!

Surround sound (hi-res audio lossless) is very nice at home for watching flicks. ...'Super 8' is a cool flick with some young cool actors (Elle Fanning among them), and that train crash sequence is quite somethin' else indeed. ...Great workout for all the speakers, and subwoofers, and listeners.

Good that you're back in listening movie mode business Brian.

Merry Christmas Brian, and George!

Originally Posted by Big B

I had the same problem with my Onkyo. Had to have the the HDMI board replaced. Cost $250.00
Barry

Not sweet at all. ...Worth mentioning: Onkyo/Integra is not the only player in town in having HDMI issues in the past.

Merry Christmas Barry!

Originally Posted by Big B

I had the same problem with my Onkyo. Had to have the the HDMI board replaced. Cost $250.00
Barry

I am pretty sure the only differences anymore between the Onkyo model and the matching Integra model is the looks and extra warranty. I paid $250 more for the Integra so It looks like we both broke even. I poked around the net and it seems like this is the most common issue Onkyo has with these HT units.

NAD, Arcam, Lexicon, Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, Linn, Meridian, Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer Elite, ...they all had issues with their HDMI boards (implementation and communication).

Onkyo/Integra is no better and no worse.

Eric, may I share some of my experience and knowledge?

One of the best deals around is the Onkyo TX-NR818 AV receiver; still available at some places. ...Approx. $599 brand new.
...Audyssey MultEQ XT32 - No heat issue - No HDMI board issue.

Btw, your Onkyo TX-SR705 AV receiver is a very good one; just put a small fan on the top right rear corner (viewed from front).
And disable the Control for CEC-compatible components, disable the Power Control (CEC again), and disable the TV Control.
Furthermore, disable the Immediate Display (onscreen details like volume level, source, audio surround mode, ...).

Happy Holidays Eric!

I'm still happy with my Integra DHC-80.3 SSP Barry.
And others are real happy too with their Marantz AV8801 SSP. ...Few members here own that Marantz.
- Then you need to add a multichannel amp(s) with that.

On the AV receivers front (top choices):
- Onkyo TX-NR5010
- Denon AVR-4520CI
- Onkyo TX-NR3010
- Onkyo TX-NR929
- Onkyo TX-NR818

* Your Onkyo TX-NR5008 AV receiver (MultEQ XT32) is an excellent unit; why do you want to change?
For roughly 5-10% better sound with a pre/pro (channel separation and imaging)? ...Something else is missing in your life?

What speakers are you powering in your multimedia room?

** If you want to better your 5008, you won't get much better (perhaps 5% better sound quality from the two SSPs above, and few extra features; and perhaps not needed at all), and it's going to cost you marginally more; just the Marantz pre/pro is already more money than your 5008 (the Integra as well), and you need seven or nine channels of amplification to go with it.
{Your 5008 has the HQV Reon-VX video chip processor. Its implementation is not perfect, even if extremely versatile;
don't use it - in particular on the analog video side.}

*** Best is to always let a good quality video source do all the video 'crunching'. ...Next best; your display (or front projector).

**** Most people having video issues from their SSP's or AV Receiver's HDMI boards because of heat related issue is because manufacturers don't use a heat sink on top of the video processing chip(s), and that people are activating all CEC features (or not disactivating them from their default settings), and are not using the video Pass Through feature of their units.

Glad to help Barry.

* Use a fan on the top rear right corner of your 5008 Barry. ...Read post #9 from the previous page.
And in addition of what I've recommended (important recommendations by the way) do this too:
In the HDMI Monitor Setup, select Through for the Resolution.

Let your source (Blu-ray player, etc.) do the video processing, or your HDTV. ...That way your HDMI video processor doesn't have to work so hard, and with a fan on top (a quiet one, USB powered or some' else) it helps dissipating the heat.
And that CEC from hell is also a heat contributor! ...That's why all the Control related to it should all be disable.

And Barry, anything you're not sure about; proper audio or video selection, or any issue at all you might have with your 5008, just let me know. AV receivers and pre/pros (SSPs) from Onkyo/Integra and Denon/Marantz in particular (other brands too, but I'm a big Audyssey's fan) I am quite knowledgeable about; real life experience, and readings from the best.

On some other audio sites I had my own threads on all AV Receivers and Surround Sound Processors.
Here at the Shark aquarium most members are hi-fi stereo (solid, 3-dimensional) people.
And because this thread right here is about Integra (Onkyo) products (AV receivers and AV processors), then it's perfect for sharing and exchanging knowledge and experience on them products, plus much more.

Most members here know much more than me about high end stereo, because they compared a lot of high end hi-fi products, in real life situation.
And I know some about other some. ...Audio, be it solid stereo or multichannel, is always a complement.
And with music you can also have moving pictures, on your screen, not just from your imagination.
So video is also part of the equation (part of AV). ...And there too there is some that I know some about.

AudioShark is the start of a great site; we have analog experts, computer experts (PC & Mac), smart phone experts, digital music server experts, high resolution loudspeaker experts, amplifier experts, and a great bunch more of other friendly experts from all life avenues. ...Audio, Video, Music, Movies, Wines, Musicians, Artists of all trades.

Eric, in your 705 the HDMI video inputs are 100% automatic video signals pass thru (native). What comes in is unaltered and virgin outputted.

The video processor inside your 705 is a Sage/Faroudja FL2300 video chip; Faroudja Edge Directional Correlation Deinterlacing (DCDi). Though it will de-interlace and scale any input, it will do so only to 720p.
All your SD sources - we' re talking DVD, VHS, non-HD cable or Satellite - can be output as 720p on HDMI, while all your HD sources (Blu-ray, HD Cable, etc.) will be passed through, without any video signal degradation at all.

* Many people, myself included, have top notch video processors in their pre/pros or receivers but don't use them at all!
Today's BD players that cost only $100 can output a perfect video picture from both standard DVDs and HD Blu-ray discs.

Why do you think that the high end Surround Sound Processors don't have any video processing in them!
That's the duty of your sources, or your flat panel HDTV or HD front projector (true video/picture components).

You can be sure that your 705 doesn't do anything other than simply let the video signals totally untouched; unlike some hi-end receivers where they alter the white and black levels by clipping them, even on video passthrough mode!!!

When your 705 is set for an HDMI monitor, all analog signals will be transcoded to digital by your 705 as well as passes through signals in their native formats.
Setting the HDMI monitor to off disables HDMI output, but will allow transcoding between analog composite and s-video input to any other analog output as well as pass through; component video will only pass through. Digital video input is never converted to analog by your 705.

=> Your 705 may not provide another redundant scalar to 1080p resolution, but it will not choke it off the signal quality as it passes it along.

________________

For music listening quality; experiment with Pure Audio mode, Stereo with Audyssey MultEQ XT engaged, etc.
Try even plain jane stereo mode with the Treble tone control for some CDs (no Audyssey).
You have so many options for music listening that I'm sure you did try some of them, but try ALL of them.

And if you don't like your 705 for any reason whatsoever (video, or audio, ...), then simply purchase another unit, from Onkyo, or from any other brand.
Make sure you have thirty days to make your mind. Who knows, you might like a Marantz receiver. ...Yamaha? ...Pioneer?
{I had them all, love and hate them all, all at the same time! } ... Post #11 just above; I stick with it though.

I should look into the Onkyo's or Integra's next time I'm in the market for an AV receiver. I've been using Denon for quite some time now (5 or 6 in the house, various generations). I've been happy with them, but wouldn't mind a change. I trust Bob's opinion.

Post #11 is a good post for reference (I added a little bit more to it).

Originally Posted by socfan12

I should look into the Onkyo's or Integra's next time I'm in the market for an AV receiver. I've been using Denon for quite some time now (5 or 6 in the house, various generations). I've been happy with them, but wouldn't mind a change. I trust Bob's opinion.

In general (for AV receivers & SSPs); Denon's sound is more reserved, smoother. ...And higher up in the chain (flagships), potent.
Marantz's sound is a little more refined with its (HDAM) module amps (top tiers models).
Onkyo/Integra's sound is clear, a good match with smooth speakers; great movie surround sound.
Yamaha's sound is clean, "natural, with higher 'dumping' factor (verve).
Pioneer's sound is homogeneous, ICY, serviceable (moss).

--> This is just a fun general own personal perspective using my own words in my own related life experience contexts.

* Best sound is the one that matches your speakers, room, and ears with equal balance/aplomb all around your own personal preference.

_______________

And each of these brands use their own system to EQ the sound, or not (Audyssey, YPAO, MCACC), and that, is your own personal journey into the higher dimensional audio stratospheric atmosphere; be it in stereo and/or multichannel audio.

And in audio like in wines you have some better years and less good years.

Eric, Video: In your case, using various video sources that your 705 (2007 model) cannot handle all equally natively, you'd be happy with a more modern receiver like the 818 which has way more advanced video processor chips. And at only $599 it should suit your budget perfectly.

Audio: Audyssey MultEQ XT is good in your 705, but like I said before to you it's the Onkyo's mic (hockey puck shaped) that is not up to it. ...And you CANNOT substitute it for any other one! ...As it is calibrated for your receiver only.
In the 818 not only you have the more refined XT32, but you also have the much improved Audyssey's mic (pyramid shaped).

Last, Sound Amplification: Your Paradigm Reference Studio 100 loudspeakers (front left and right); they'll sing much better with additional power and quality amplification, like from a separate high current stereo amplifier good into 4Ω loads.

You're right; there's nothing wrong with Canada.