Audio Video News

An increasing number of home theater enthusiasts are adapting the Super Audio Compact Disc and DVD-Audio formats. Many also have "whole-house" or distributed A/V systems.

Integra has introduced a versatile, affordable receiver designed with just such movie-and-music fans in mind. The DTR-6.4 is a 6x100 watt home theater receiver featuring THX Select certification, advanced DVD-A and SACD bass management, sophisticated video conversion and switching capabilities, and an impressive array of multi-room options, including powered Zone 2 and A-Bus.

Integra hopes to take the guesswork out of SACD/DVD-A bass management with its dedicated 5.1-channel analog input, which converts the incoming signals to digital for processing by the receiver's 32-bit digital signal processor. Low frequencies are routed to a subwoofer, preventing damage to or distortion from small satellite speakers that are ill equipped to handle deep bass. The subwoofer crossover is selectable at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, or 150 Hz for optimal integration with any speaker arrangement. For listeners with full range speaker systems capable of handling deep bass, this feature can be bypassed using Integra's exclusive "Pure Audio Mode" for "the ultimate in analog fidelity."

Other advanced features include 32-bit Dual-DSP audio processing for THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX and ProLogic II, DTS-ES, Neo:6, and the new DTS-96/24 format. The DTR-6.4 has 192 kHz/24-bit DACs for each channel. The high-resolution output combined with Integra's VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry), previously found on the company's high-end DVD players, is claimed to smooth the analog output for cleaner, more detailed audio reproduction.

Flexibility and integration options were also paramount in the minds of the DTR-6.4's designers. Its multizone capabilities allow the processing two sources simultaneously, or sending the same signal to both the main zone and systems in other rooms. A built-in port for the flexible A-Bus audio distribution system (favored by many installers) features both fixed and variable line level zone 2 outputs to feed second zone receivers or amplifiers. With the DTR-6.4, you may not even need a second amplifier. Integra's Powered Zone 2 feature dedicates two of the receiver's internal amplifier channels to directly power speakers in a second room.

The Integra DTR-6.4 features five A/V inputs and three outputs, each with both composite and S-video connections, and two assignable component video inputs. The receiver features composite to S-Video conversion using a 3-line digital comb filter for superior reproduction, and all video inputs are upconverted to 480i component video to simplify connection to displays. For HDTV and DVD video fidelity, component video switching boasts a 50 MHz bandwidth to prevent signal degradation. IR remote control is via a backlit remote. An RS-232 port provides interfacing with home automation systems and personal computers. The receiver's AM/FM tuner section has 30 random presets and direct access tuning.

The Integra DTR-6.4 will be available in June at a suggested retail price of $1,000.