I have to agree. It's an outstanding receiver. The mid ranges are elevated, but with low distortion.

Fantastic receiver. Use as my garage, patio unit powering Def. Techs inside and Klipsch outside and it has no problems handling the loads. Great sound, plenty of power, built like a tank and a fantastic value for a non HDMI unit. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a secondary, non HDMI unit!

The Integra DTR-9.1 is a beast of a ht-receiver. This unit is a very high quality ht-receiver with lots of solid and clean power handle pretty much anything you throw at them. This is a very well built heavy unit, and I'm pairing it with the DPS-9.1 DVD player and they're a match made in haven:). I sure love this unit and this ones a keeper and I don't do HDMI switching through the receiver anyways so I don't have the need foe any kinda upgrade any time soon. I like the way it does two channel dedicated stereo, the sound is warm and very detailed and throws out a room filling huge sound-stage. I have not see too many of them go on the used market, guess the folks like us who are lucky enough to have them don't wanna let them go ha! If you ever sees them in the used market at a decent asking price jump on it, I'm sure you will really enjoy this receiver and what it brings to the table.

Great 2chl stereo, Eazy set up. 2nd zone video and audio out! Upgradeable via rs232. Last but not least, Integra company warranty 3yrs!

Remote, buy the pronto. Extra heavy amp 49lbs!

After Setting this amp up. I found that the Integra With 2chl direct mode, and Re-EQ turned Off. Sounds Great, in stereo. I am using a DPS 9.1 as a transport, With the Video power supply turned off.Kimber DV60 for digital, and silver Streaks for analog. Stiching between them. Speakers are Monitor Audio GR60s. With 8VS for wire. The Sound Stage was High and in the middle(The way i like it)not Right inbetween the speakers and low like the Denon. The Integra''s clear uncolored sound of the amp came through. Janet Jackson and David Sandbon sounded like they were in my home. David''s Horn sounded so life like. No "dsp" sound. That clear "Air" sound stage was very Captivating. Not like the Denon 5800. My main reason that I bought this pice, was because it is Upgradeable. I have the Ultra 2 version. This is perfect for anyone that is looking for a great theater surround sound amp. With a great 2chl sound stage.As for John look at his weaknesses. For someone to bash a pice of equiment like that has no idea what he is talking about. B&K ref30, Go buy that China''s Finest online for 900 bucks and find a new hobbie.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 5800, Kenwood-vr5900,

Clean amplification in all 7 channels, easy to use front panel, easy to use menu system, software upgradable, the list goes on and on...

Poor customer support by Onkyo Integra
Fan can occasionally be heard - barely

This is *the* A/V receiver. The unit has exceptional power to output to all 7 channels (the subwoofer for the 0.1 channel usually has its own amp) and all output is clean. The unit can decode Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 and through multichannel inputs can play DVD-Audio 5.1 output.

The unit is upgradable by firmware/software updates. One has been promised for the 1st quarter of 2001. This upgrade will include discrete DTS 6.1 decoding.

The switching system also allows for watching one video source, listening to another and recording a third simultaneously. The back panel offers a large variety of inputs/outputs including digital. Also a 25-pin input jack is provided to hook-up multichannel components.

The only weaknesses are that the fan can occasionally be heard for about a second or two at the end of a track (the fan quickly spins down when no sound is output). Also Onkyo Integra's customer support phone line is the worst I've had to deal with. Leave a message at 1-800-225-1946 and you will never hear from Onkyo Integra - never.

But given the excellent quality of the unit, most customers will never need to both to call. It is *the* A/V receiver on the market today (including the Denon).

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha A3090

Upgradeability, clean sound, flexible, DD EX/DTS ES, ergonomics,etc..

Runs a little hot sometimes and fan kicks on

It received receiver of the year from Stereophile guide to home theater(they have not reviewed Denon 5800 yet which is also a great machine) and the Onkyo 989 (almost identical) got 94/100 from Home Theater Magazine.

Anyway, I upgraded from a Yamaha A1 which I liked a lot. Here are my some of my initial impressions:

1)I was initially skeptical about Dolby EX and DTS ES but really have come to like it so far. Even on non EX/ES tracks it enhances most movies (at least to my tastes). The THX trailer on the new T2 disc were Arnold is reflected in the metalic T2 sign and then shoots it is awesome. Total demo material.

2)The amps sound great and are a little less bright than the Yamaha A1 amps and a little more analytical. I am not an audiophile and like the sound of both receivers for audio. On HT I am hard pressed to describe the difference over the A1. I would say it flows a little smoother on pans both left to right and front to back. It is a very clean receiver that I would neither define as bright or warm. The best description I can think of is analytical and accurate.

3)It runs a lot hotter than my Yamaha use to. I had to lower the shelf another 3 inches to keep the fan from turning on after several hours of use.

4)It looks very elegant and is built like a tank and is very heavy.

5) The user interface is very easy, especially for a machine with so many features.

6)I can't wait to upgrade to DPL II and DTS ES Discrete when the sofware upgrades become available next year.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha A1 was last receiver I owned

Upgradeable, if it aint got it, it'll get it!

.......occasional crackling sound when turning volume up/down (i tend to think this is my fault somehow though)

Let me just say this thing rocks! I'm using all 8 Kipsch speakers which include: 2 RF-3s, 1 RC-3, 4 RS-3s, and a KSW-15. EX is awsome, but I'm already eager to get the DTS 6.1 discrete upgrade. I no longer have any real complaints as most of my issues have been resolved. The only remaining questions I have, is THX mode usually not as loud as standard DD? Is it normal to hear a faint crackling when turning the volume up & down?

Please email me if you have an answer on this: darth-shaun@home.com

Also, I share the following story in case others have this problem.

I got this baby home and was noticing a few querks here & there. I soon found out that most were user error. One thing was that after I hooked it up to my tv (a Sharp projector), I noticed a dark band that swept vertically from left to right while watching DVDs. This even happened when I connected the component video directly from my tv to my dvd player, and only when I had the s-video conected from the reciever's video 1 to my tv. After much trial & error and a few other weird effetcs related to this, I was ready to scream. Then while reading the manual (those things I usually toss aside), I noticed it said to use video 2 outs for a projector & video 1 for a monitor. I plugged the s-video from my tv to the reciever's video 2 and PRESTO the band no longer was moving accross my screen.

Amazing every since I added PRO-LOGIC II which by the way is way better than even DTS-NEO 6 which is also new to my firmware.

No control of mute function without remote. Quick pop noise sometimes when changing inputs.

A full review will come shortly, I just wanted to let you know the FIRMWARE UPGRADE that is now available changes so many ratings to superb. Dolby Pro-Logic II is everything its cracked up to be and more! With stereo music I used to use 5-channel stereo as I was not pleased with most of the other modes. But now with Pro-Logic II EVERYTHING improves, movies, CD's, you name it!

I did the firmware upgrade using my Dad's PC to connect (sorry, nothing for Mac out there as I discovered), and man am I glad I did! There was an error and the first 20 orders that were shipped where Onkyo forget to tell each of us our individualized password was the only glitch and I had the forsight to call them before attempting the upgrade and I spoke to customer service dept head and he helped me out immediately.

Trust me, the firmware upgrade changes the rating of this receiver from excellent to SUPERB!

rAY

Similar Products Used:

Replaced my Harmon Kardon Signature 2.0

Future up grades and equal power distribution to all channels.

Price.

By listening and reading the reviews of this monster, this is the best receiver that is avalible on the market. Sure I can say that Krell, Linn, McIntosh, and Adcom are great amps and preamps, but who's has that type of money to spend for compontents. We all know compontents is the way to go. But cost and user ablility, hands down this is the best! I'm not sure what "John B" is talking about. Compare apples to apples. I like the DTR-9.1 for the smooth and accurate tones that it delivers. As far as noise on the unit? Doesn't have any. My Klipsch Forte' II is a perfect match for this receiver. For being a drummer and need for my highs to be crisp and low to accurate, this is a good buy for the money. As for using this receiver a reference amp, don't waste your money this receiver is for listening to music/video not making music.

Similar Products Used:

Pre 1995 Onkyo, Denon , and Krell.

processing and amp power; video switching; upgradeability; and ease of use for a high end receiver

bass management not adjustable - fixed at thx 8o hz crossover

I do not understand the prior post by Edward. I also have the avr-3801 and it is a fine product, but its amp section is no match for integra. This is as good a receiver as there is and, when paired with a powerful subwoofer, the dtr-9.1 is performance competitive with mid-priced separates and much simpler to set-up and use.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha dsp-a1; denon avr-3801; h/k avr-85; marantz separates