Very much like the remote, if you decide to change the listening mode, you push once on the button then spin another to find your selection. Activating the second zone must also be done by pressing the alternate zone more than once, at which time the input selection lights up with a second color. In other words, you may see one color lit on one component for Zone 1 and a second color and component lit for Zone 2. I will tell you this takes some getting used to, pressing and spinning, pressing and spinning.

The rear of the 10.5 is, well, however you'd like. I’ll explain that statement next, but let me describe what is standard for the Integra DTR 10.5. There are color-coded (THX required) speaker posts arranged along the bottom, two complete sets of fourteen posts to be exact. Also there are a full set of pre-outs with two subwoofer connections; one can be used for speaker B, more on that later as well.

Along with an RS232 port, the DTR 10.5 has an array of 12V triggers, one with a massive 200 mA current capacity and four with 100 mA. Finally, an RI connection for other Integra components, a switched AC outlet, and a detachable power cord complete the normal rear accessories. Every other connection is modular-based and either standard or optional.

Modules

The removable modules have a vertical design. A single screw removed with a hex screw at the top and bottom hold them in place. Integra offers seven optional modules along with the four included modules for the DTR-10.5. What you do get standard: A module for digital audio, which has eight each optical and coaxial outputs; A module for analog audio, which includes nine two-channel inputs and an additional, dedicated phono input; Also on this module are five outputs, which can be assigned for up to three zones. The third supplied module is for video: six composite and S-Video input sources (up-converted to 480i), and four assignable outputs, three High Definition compatible component inputs and one output. And, lastly, included is an AM/FM tuner module.

The optional modules of course are the interesting ones.

● The iLink module is a Firewire connection for digital multi-channel audio, both DVD-Audio and SACD. One of the benefits of course is bass management.

● An HDMI module with two inputs and one output for video.

● Integration with your computer is handled with a Net-Tune Ethernet module. Including Internet radio, it gives the ability to access and play back your computer stored music: mp3, WAV, and WMA files with the aid of a downloadable music file system Net-Tune Central.

● For component video, you have a choice of either a BNC or an RCA module, each with one set of inputs and one set of outputs.

● Also a choice is for multi-channel audio inputs: either a module with a pair of RCA connections, or a module which includes one set of RCA and an AES/EBU connection. Either will allow bass management through the DTR 10.5 or bypassed for pure audio.

Integra sends along with their lengthy instruction manual a Quick Guide for those like me who prefer an immediate charge followed by the full set-up process. Otherwise, use the extensive manual, some common sense and do it properly.

What you will find as you begin the set-up, are the incredible amount of options and decisions you must make to take the fullest advantage of the DTR 10.5. Thus Integra sends along accompanying their manual a System Settings Notebook, which allows you to keep track of all your selections. No less than 10 pages of possible choices can be recorded for future reference. I’m surprised they don’t have a program for your computer to do the same.

Before you can set up the Integra, obviously the number of zones and the speaker configuration for each zone must be determined. With fourteen sets of binding posts on the rear, you’re able to set up two 7.1 channel systems (Main A and Main B).

If you’d prefer to load up one, some speakers in the second would be sacrificed. For example you may decide to bi-amp a second set of fronts truly creating that wall of sound while maintaining a 5.1 system in the other. Much discussion these days of multiple subwoofers and the 10.5 can accommodate that desire. Of course that removes the sub from the second room. A third 2-channel zone is also possible.

Keeping track of all those speaker cables can be troublesome and for that, Integra also includes speaker cable color-coded tags or labels.
 

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