Integra 11CH Flagship AV Processor & Receivers Promise Best in Class Features

Chief Audioholic Gene DellaSala recently reviewed Integra’s DRX-4.3 receiver, heaping praise upon the unit’s excellent preamp section, flexible control app, and bass management that was “among the best that (he’s) seen in Atmos receivers recently, regardless of price.” So when Integra unveiled three new “reference-grade” products at CEDIA 2019, our interest was piqued, to say the least. Given the superb preamp performance of the 9.2-channel DRX-4.3, the most exciting of these new products might be Integra’s new flagship 11.2-channel A/V preamp/processor, the DRC-R1.3 ($2,499). Joining this new processor in Integra’s flagship Research Series is a new 11.2-channel receiver, the DRX-R1.3 ($3,299). Lastly, a new 9.2-channel receiver called the DRX-7.3 ($2,399) was added to the Integra lineup; it sits at the top of the brand’s current 9.2-channel receiver offerings. According to Integra, these latest products combine “the high-end audio and video (that) consumers demand” with the “best-in-class features (that) custom integrators appreciate.” One of these highly-valued custom installation features is support for the 4K HDBaseT connectivity standard, which allows 4K HDR video transmission and control from up to 100 meters away over Cat 5/6/7 (ethernet) wiring. Included on all three new products, this feature is potentially a big deal if — like Gene — you want the ability to transmit HD content across the house without having to run HDMI cables behind your walls. On the consumer-pleasing side of things, all three new products are IMAX Enhanced certified, and are packed with popular wireless technologies such as built-in Chromecast (with Google Assistant voice control), Apple’s AirPlay 2 for multi-room audio with voice control via Siri, DTS Play-Fi for multi-room high-res streaming, and the all-important “Works with Sonos” designation, which is a huge plus for users who are already invested in the Sonos ecosystem. Video tech is equally comprehensive on the new products, with all three offering support for 4K/60p video passthrough with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG high dynamic range. Each unit has seven HDMI 2.1 inputs with WCG (Wide Color Gamut), 4:4:4/24-bit color, HDCP 2.3, and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel).

New 11CH Integra AV Preamps & Receivers @ CEDIA 2019 YouTube Video Overview

DRC-R1.3 11.2-Channel Processor and DRX-R1.3 11.2-Channel Receiver

The new DRC-R1.3 processor and DRX-R7.3 receiver share many key features, as you might expect from the twin flagships of Integra’s prestigious Research Series. Both benefit from a robust construction technique in which modular circuitry blocks are mounted (via copper screws) to a double-skinned, cross-braced, insulated chassis designed to reduce resonances. The front panels and volume knobs are made from aluminum, and audio terminals are all gold-plated. Both the DRC-R1.3 processor and DRX-R1.3 receiver offer 11.2-channel single-ended pre-outs, but the DRC-R1.3 processor also offers 11.2-channel balanced XLR outputs, which the DRX-R1.3 receiver leaves out in favor of a THX Ultra2 Certified power amp section, delivering 140W per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC). Both support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks up to 7.2.4 channels, and 384 kHz/32-bit digital-to-analog conversion with support for DSD 256 as well. The same high-performance DAC chips are featured in both units: one AK4490 stereo DAC for the front left and right channels, a pair of AK4458 multichannel DACs for the remaining main channels, and an AK4388 DAC to handle audio for auxiliary zones. That is some pretty serious D/A conversion horsepower. Analog aficionados will appreciate the dedicated phono input found on both the processor and the receiver. On the video side, both the DRC-R1.3 processor and DRX-R1.3 receiver feature twin HDMI outputs for the main zone (allowing you to connect both a TV and a projector), plus a third HDMI output for Zone 2 video. Custom installers can take advantage of extensive RS-232/IP/IR control command sets and bi-directional IP and RS-232 ports to integrate the DRC-R1.3 and DRX-R1.3 with Crestron, AMX by Harman, and Control4 automation systems. The DRC-R1.3 processor will have a matching 11-channel amplifier, called the DRA-R1, which will be available in early 2020 (price TBA). The DRX-R1.3 receiver includes 11 channels of Integra’s high-current, low-impedance “Class D3” amplification, with a custom-made magnetic-flux low-hum EI power transformer, bespoke high-current smoothing capacitors exclusive to Integra, and custom output-filtering “for musicality, low distortion, and instant dynamic response.”

DRX-7.3 9.2-Channel Receiver

Though a step down from the 11.2-channel flagships, the 9.2-channel DRX-7.3 receiver still offers THX Certified Select amplification rated at 135W per channel (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2-ch driven, FTC), which should be enough for many 5.2.4-channel home theaters. Crucially, Integra claims that the DRX-7.3  has “multichannel simultaneous drive capability for 4-ohm speakers,” which is an area in which the DRX-4.3 struggled in our testing. The receiver can process 7.2.4-channel content; you just need to add an additional stereo power amp for the extra two channels. Like its bigger siblings, the DRX-7.3 has seven HDMI inputs, 3 HDMI outputs, and a fast NXP iMX8 network processor, plus extensive network/streaming capabilities and custom-installer-friendly features.

Integra's latest AV processor and receivers have piqued our interest. We'd like to take a closer look at some of these models in the near future. Feel free to request what you'd like to see more details of in the related forum thread below.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.