Integra DRX-R1.1 and DRC-R1.1 11.2-Channel Atmos AV Receivers

Introduction

After building all my preamps and power amplifiers for decades, I was finally seduced by Onkyo Integra way back in the 80’s when I purchased my first stereo pre/power amplifier, an Onkyo Integra A-8190. Integra was founded as a sub-division of Onkyo in 1976 but now stands as it own brand being called just Integra. I continued to buy Onkyo Integra for the next two decades and still own many models including the AV receivers TX-DS838 and TX-SV919THX, the DX-5500 and DX7500 CD players and whose system would not be complete without the TA-2600 cassette deck.

Eventually my loyalty to Onkyo was surplanted by what seemed to be Denons superior technical designs and technologies so I jumped ship and that is where I am currently floating. I now find myself deciding which ship to board again as I need to upgrade to a new, Immersive Audio, A/V Receiver Pre-amplifier.

Here’s a first look at the latest two top end offerings by Integra .

Image Credit -Integra. DRC-R1.1 Front View

Image Credit -Integra. DRC-R1.1 Rear View

Product Model: DRC-R1.1

Manufacturer: Integra

MSRP: $2500

Weight: 30 pounds

Availability: March 2018

Image Credit -Integra. DRX-R1.1 Front View

Image Credit -Integra. DRX-R1.1 Rear View

Product Model: DRX-R1.1

Manufacturer: Integra

MSRP: $3300

Weight: 43 pounds

Availability: March 2018

Image Credit -Integra. DRC-R.1.1 Internal View

Image Credit -Integra. DRX-R1.1 Internal View

Overview

Both of the following designs have an enormous range of user friendly features and technical features all of which I shall not try to repeat here. Please click on the links under each receiver to be taken to the Integra web site were you can spend a leisurely time browsing each receiver.

The two designs, from Integra’s Research Series, are very similar in terms of signal processing and user features. The major difference is that the DRC provides a line level balanced output for all 13 channels where as the DRX supports an additional eleven  140 watt power amplifiers with two unbalanced line level feeds for the subs. Neither model uses Audyssey for room equalization, both using Integra’s AccuEQ. This system takes two sets of measurements the first to set level and the second to evaluate your rooms acoustics and set distances, equalization and crossover frequencies.

Both receivers are the first to support 4KHDBaseT connectivity. This CATx network connection supports 4K/60fps/4:4;4/UHD/HDR/Dolby Vision over distances up to 330 feet. Being part of Integras reference-grade Research Series, the DRC-R1.1 and the DRX-R1.1 contain hand selected components and support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats up to 7.2.4 channels; multi-zone processing; wireless technologies including Chromecast together with Google Assistant voice control and DTS Play-Fi multi-room hi-fi music streaming.  Each model also supports 8 HDMI in, 2 HDMI out, main out, and sub / Zone 2 out, HDCP 2.2, 4 K / 60 Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), WCG (Wide Color Gamut), extended colorimetry (sYCC601, Adobe RGB, Adobe YYC601), and BT.2020 video pass-through.

While both receivers support most high resolution audio standards, neither states that they support Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) audio, even though the Integra link to high resolution audio files contains MQA recordings.

Both will be available at the end of March 2018.

Integra DRC-R1.1 – A/V Receiver Pre-amp

The Research Series DRC-R1.1 is a full THX Certified Ultra2 Plus home entertainment design. Using copper screws to hold the floating circuit boards to a double-skinned and insulated frame. The design uses multiple 32 bit SHARC DSP’s and AKM 32 bit differential DAC’s (AK4458/4490) together with Integra’s state-of-the-art technologies to include VLSC, HDBT networking, Chromecast and full object-based 7.2.4 audio. Premium gold plated connectors round off the I/O.  Serial and IP control is also available on both models allowing their integration and control, into and by, home automations systems such as Crestron and AMX.

General Specifications:

• Channels:  11.2
• Frequency Response:  5Hz – 100KHz
• Input Sensitivity and Impedance:
  • Line – 200 mV / 82 KΩ
  • Phono (MM) – 3.5mV/47K

• Rated RCA Output Level and Impedance:
  • Pre/Subwoofer Out – 1V / 330 Ω
  • Zone Out – 200mV / 1.2 KΩ
  • Zone Pre Out – 2.0V/1.2K

• Rated Pre-Out XLR Output Level and Impedance – 2V/220Ω
• Phono Overload MM @ 1KHz, 0.5% -70 mV
• Frequency Response -Direct In – 5 Hz – 100 KHz/+1 dB -3 dB
• Tone Controls:
  •  Bass   ±10dB @ 100 Hz
  • Treble ±10dB @ 10 KHz

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
  • Line (IHF-A) – 110 dB
  • Phono – 80dB

• Video Input Sensitivity / Output Level and Impedance:
  • Composite/Component Y – 1.0 Vp-p/75 Ω
  • Component Pb/Pr – 0.7V p-p/75 Ω
• Power Consumption – 70 Watts
• Dimensions (W X H X D) – 17 1/8″ x 7 3/4″ x 17 13/16″
• 3 Year warranty

See here for full technical details for the DRC-R1.1.

Integra DRX-R1.1 – A/V Receiver and Power Amplifier

This is Integra’s flagship THX Certified Select network receiver providing 140W per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC) plus all the latest 4K video support and the same multi-channel audio processing as found in the DRC-R1.1.  Both of these receivers also provide Integra’s Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) that removes high frequency pulse noise from the DAC process. It is constructed in the same meticulous way as the DRC, both having additional bracing to reduce structural resonances. Carrying the same digital signal processing as the DRC it is THX certified supporting both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding. Both receivers contain custom shielded and separate power supplies for the analog and digital electronics, helping to isolate signals from noise.

General Specifications:

• Channels:  11.2
• Power (8Ω 20-20kHz 0.08%) / CH – 140 watts
• Amplifier Frequency Response  5Hz – 100KHz
• Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz-20 KHz, FTC) 140W / Channel (8 Ω)
• Dynamic Power:
  • 320W / Channel (3 Ω)
  • 270W / Channel (4 Ω)
  • 160W / Channel (8 Ω)

• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise) 0.04% (1 KHz, 100W)
• Input Sensitivity and Impedance:
  • Line – 200 mV / 82 KΩ
  • Phono (MM) – 3.5 mV / 47 KΩ

• Rated RCA Output Level and Impedance:
  • Pre and Subwoofer Out – 1 V / 330Ω
  • Zone Out – 200 mV / 1.2KΩ
  • Zone Pre Out – 2.0 V / 1.2KΩ

• Phono Overload MM @ 1KHz, 0.5% -70 mV
• Frequency Response -Direct In – 5 Hz – 100 KHz/+1 dB -3 dB
• Tone Controls:
  •  Bass   ±10dB @ 100 Hz
  • Treble ±10dB @ 10 KHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
  • Line, IHF-A – 108 dB
  • Phono – 90dB
• Speaker Impedance:  4Ω – 16Ω
• Video Input Sensitivity / Output Level and Impedance:
  • Composite/Component Y – 1.0 Vp-p/75Ω
  • Component Pb/Pr – 0.7V p-p/75
• Power Consumption – 360 Watts
• Dimensions (W X H X D) – 17 1/8″ x 7 3/4″ x 17 9/16″
• 3 Year warranty

See here for full technical details for the DRX-R1.1.

Further Thoughts.

Both of these AV receivers have clearly had a lot of thought put into their design and range of future proof features. My only concern is that there appears to be a growing use of  high efficiency switched mode power supplies (SMPS) for driving the digital electronics, with conventional analog supplies feeding all the analog electronics. This approach theoretically provides the best advantages of both types of supplies. With SMPS driving digital circuitry that are fairly immune to power supply and radiated noise, and analog supplies that are inherently noise “free” with only the transformer possibly radiating noise, typically in the form of a 60Hz magnetic field, driving all the much more sensitive analog electronics. Highly effective magnetic screening is easy to achieve using Mu-metal screens and low flux leakage toroids, both at additional cost.

Ensuring that the SMPS doesn’t inject or radiate ANY noise into the analog circuitry is, in my opinion, challenging. Espeacilly as both are fed from a common power cord and grounding system. While I am sure that the designers have done all that they can in order to mitigate such issues, such as shielding. I am inherently adverse to expensive high end A/V receivers that contains switch mode power supplies, even though their designs and implementations are now very well refined. I assume that their increased use is based upon cost savings and heat reduction, not their sonic improvements!

I realize that some reading this will have observed that I have commented upon this issue with players like the Oppo 203/205. However, in that case it is primarily just a digital signal source and a fully screened high quality SMPS implementation is more acceptable. But even in that case, the Oppo 205 reverts to an analog supply, just as these receivers do, to power the very high quality and sensitive analog circuitry, acknowledging the possible SMPS noise impact on the analog electronics.

I will definitely have to give DRC-R1.1 receiver pre-amp further consideration, and look forward to seeing signal measurements and a review of its analog sound quality.

For more information please visit Integra here.

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