Module Forgotten

Ok so shame on me. So let’s talk about why the DTR 10.5 is a perfect receiver for me. When I first went through my requirements for features, I had no need for HDMI, I had neither a monitor nor component with HDMI.

You know where I’m going with this already. I customized the Integra and ordered all but the HDMI module. Now the good news is I can get online and order the HDMI module if I so desire. Thank you Integra.

Set-up

The DTR 10.5 takes you through the typical yet thorough set-up menus. The first set-up is for hardware, specifically the remote control. If by chance you’ve placed this receiver in a room with other Onkyo/Integra products, you may select an alternate ID in case of interference.

I have already discussed the speaker options afforded to you with the 10.5. However, one excellent feature is the ability to set speaker impedance differently for each; fronts, center, and surrounds from 4 to 8 ohms.

Speaker crossover can be set differently for both Speaker A and Speaker B setups. You’re reminded that THX is set for 80 Hz, but you can also use 40 Hz to 150 Hz at 10 Hz increments including full band if you're either not using a subwoofer or if you just prefer all speakers to receive the entire bandwidth. Also you may specify the low pass filter for LFE signals in a similar fashion.

A notch filter for low frequencies allows you to make adjustments to your room response if need be. You specify the frequency Depth in 0.5 increments from 0 dB to -15 dB. The Width (the Q) can also be selected in the range you’d prefer, say for example between 95 Hz-105 Hz.

The built-in test tones for calibration are fixed at the THX-required 82 dB. In other words, don’t be calibrating late at night, the master volume control is inactive. Adjustments for all channels in 0.5dB increments from -15 dB to +12 dB are available.

THX audio set-up is predominately a subwoofer issue. Ultra2 requires subwoofers to perform down to 20 Hz, if your subwoofer is not down to the challenge, choose No and disregard the Boundary Gain compensation for excessive room bass. This can be set for either speaker A or B setups.

Finally in this set of menus, are the audio and video output assignments. You are afforded a lot of options for assigning both analog and digital audio sources, and likewise for video, including HDMI (if you chose that module). This is the opportunity for you to take advantage of the outputs for all three zones.

The input setup menu is extremely involved. You may choose a different configuration for each of the 14 sources from DVD to Net Audio. For each source there are seven menus including Audio, Video, Listening Mode, Character Edit (changing the name on the OSD), Volume Control, Delay (Global, for A/V sync), and 12V trigger assignment.

Audio assignment consists of choosing: the analog audio, multi-channel (5.1 or 7.1), subwoofer sensitivity from 0 dB to +15 dB, the digital audio assignment (choose one of the six coax, or six optical), and whether you want it automatically detected, and finally if you’re using the i.Link for your connection.

The video mode is self-explanatory, assigning the right connection for each source, while the listening mode allows you to preset your preferences for the specific source playback mode. For example, you may choose to play back DTS material as THX, or analog material as PLII/Neo:6. These are just presets and can be altered during the actual performance. Of course the benefits of this feature are huge. Once every source is set to your liking, you never have to fumble to set your preferences.

I cannot begin to describe the options for the Listening Mode set-up. Source material such as DTS, Dolby Digital, or i.Link (for both DVD-Audio or SACD independently), have numerous preset options. You may choose to play back Analog/PCM sources in Pure Audio or Direct mode (which has no processing associated). Needless to say, each listening mode, such as mono or stereo can each be altered for Re-EQ, channel inputs, etc., each with specific options for LFE levels and Re-EQ (Re-EQ is described as adjusting the treble in soundtracks for home theater so that they are not harsh, since the high frequencies can be boosted at the theater so that they are heard by viewers who may be 50 feet away from the speakers).

There are a dozen listening modes, including; Mono, Stereo, Direct/Pure Audio, Multi-channel, i.Link for DVD-Audio and SACD, Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, THX, and even Dolby Headphone. Each has a set-up sub-menu for your preferences. For example, THX has modes for EX, 5-channel, 2-channel and how you want each set of speakers (fronts, center, rear, and subwoofer) to perform, and both THX Cinema for large spaces and Ultra2 Cinema for playing 5.1 sources as a 7.1 setup.

I think you get the picture . . . . plenty of features to suit your individual tastes.

Audio adjustments allow for tone control: bass, mid, treble for each channel from -12 dB to +12 dB in 1 dB increments, including bass EQ for the subwoofer. This can come in very handy when working with speakers that are very different from one another in the front vs. the rear of your room.

A preference menu gives you options for volume control, headphone level set-up, the OSD set-up and position on your screen. Speaking of the display, you may also change the character display for each input, to remind you which input you are working with.

Noteworthy is the network set-up feature for manually interfacing with your PC network. If the DTR 10.5 is connected to a broadband router, no set-up is really required because the receiver is defaulted to Enabled, or Automatic. Setting it to Disabled requires manual inputs for the IP address.

Lastly, you may lock your selections, and also, like a computer, see the master firmware version, including i.Link, Net-tune, and HDMI, so you will know if you have the latest version when you check the Onkyo website.

What is conspicuously missing is an Auto Room EQ, common in receivers even half this price. I’m not sure that is a criticism rather than an observation. Most would subscribe to room EQ as still somewhat controversial. I suspect Integra has catered to the professional installers who certainly handles EQ in their own way.

Operations

The operations of the DTR 10.5 must begin with the remote control, which is a significant piece of equipment. Many high end receiver manufacturers subscribe to the theory that no matter what they include, the end user will undoubtedly replace it with an after market universal remote, while other manufacturers prefer including a substantial learning remote out of the box. Integra is one of the latter. This remote truly has everything. It is a good size, with plenty of controls. This polished grey metal-faced unit is about 9 inches long and although rectangular, the bottom is contoured to your hand.

Here are my issues with the remote:

Firstly, it’s very complicated and actually over-featured. The amount of information on the remote forced Integra to make the buttons too small. Other than the volume/channel buttons, all other buttons are the same size. The unit is somewhat ergonomic, and when placed in your hand, your thumb is right on the volume, channel controls, and the rocker set-up Enter button.

Secondly, the main LCD display (about 1 cm x 2 cm) indicates which component and which input are controlled, but the letters are small and hard to read. The entire unit is backlit, but very softly, and even with fresh batteries, is in no way understandable in the dark. The demanding remote is a battery eater and forced me to replace them several times in the four months I’ve operated the DTR-10.5.

Functionally on the other hand, it is a remarkable unit in its content and controls. The scrolling-roller under the small display can be pushed to access the amplifier and thus choose the correct input. Once the input is chosen, the unit reverts to the controls for that particular input. If you decide to switch inputs again, you push down on the roller.
 

Click Here to Go to Part IV.

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