Integra announced the mid-range 9.2 channel, 135 watts per channel, DTR-60.5 THX Ultra2 Plus Certified A/V Receiver, with support for HDBaseT technology, which allows HD audio/video signals to be transmitted over much longer distances and uses cables that are easier to run inside walls than HDMI cables.
By incorporating HDBaseT technology, the DTR-60.5 is optimized for whole-home distribution and can connect to compatible entertainment devices through a single CAT5e/6 cable. HDBaseT is the only technology that enables long-reach wired connectivity up to 325 feet (100 meters) for uncompressed full HD multimedia content including 3D and 2K/4K Ultra HD making it ideal for the custom integration specialists. The HDBaseT and HDMI output ports in these new Integra models can be assigned for either main or second zone configuration.
The DTR-60.5 supports an abundant package of connectivity options including 9-in/1-out HDMI, the aforementioned HDBaseT port, and 11.2 multichannel pre-outs to support full DTS Neo:X up-mixing for surround-sound playback. If preferred, the unit can be configured to assign four of the nine available channels to drive audio in Zone 2 and Zone 3 simultaneously. There is a full package of surround processing including Dolby Pro-Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX, plus Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room set-up processing. Amplification comes courtesy of proprietary WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) and discrete Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry, a combination that preserves a distinctively musical sound even at high volumes.
The receiver provides management of the main and multi-zone entertainment via the Integra smartphone app, which encompasses the selection of online streaming services, internet radio channels, and network audio files. The network connection provides Internet radio and streaming music services, with preformatted service packages for Spotify, Pandora, Slacker, Rhapsody, Tune In, SIRIUS XM Internet Radio, AUPEO!, and Last.fm.
It also supports the playback of high definition music files in FLAC, DSD, ALAC, HD 24/96 and HD 24/192 formats from HD music download services.
In addition to having the power to steer high-res movie soundtracks at theater-reference volumes, the receiver is loaded with high-end features to optimize two-channel performance. Pre-processing incorporates three 192kHz/24-bit TI Burr-Brown DACs (with one stereo DAC per front channel in Differential DAC mode). Audiophiles wishing to bi-amp their front speakers can find performance increases from the proprietary Digital Processing Crossover Network, which splits the audio signal very precisely into separate high- and low-frequency signals, feeding them to the appropriate speaker drivers. This all but eliminates frequency overlap at the crossover point for a more transparent stereo image.
Price and Availability
The Integra DTR-60.5 Network A/V receiver will be available in August 2013 for $2,300.
