Price Paid:  $500.00 from SoundWaves

Summary:
I purchased the Integra 5.1 at the end of the summer of 2000. I was replacing my Sony 100 watt per channel, pro-logic receiver. I was always a Sony man until I listened to the Integra SMOKE -(@70 watts per) the Sony in a duel at the Soundwaves. The Integra was so crisp and clear, that the music I'd been listening to all of these years must have been choked off from reality by the Sony. I was so impressed by my new Integra that I called the manager @ the SoundWaves and thanked him for showing me this new receiver. The ease of use with the DTS, RS 232, Svideo, etc...etc.. featuresn has conviced me that Onkyo/Integra will be my choice in audio from now on.

Be sure your connections are made with solid cables, Acoustic Research has some excellent cables and great prices -(No need to spend $1000.00 on monster, over priced, cables)

Strengths:
70 watts of pure, continuous, power
DTS,WRATT,Multizone
Smart backlit, remote
All for $500

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer V444 DVD
Sony CD Changer (Optical audio out)
Yamaha Y450 tower fronts
Yamaha Aluminum-Tech Center
JBL bookshelf rears

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Barret's Home Theate

Summary:
The DTR 5.1 is a great receiver for the money. When I purchased the unit in January 2001, I believed it to be one of the best values in DTS receivers at that time. I have been using it since then and I have been very satisfied with how it sounds and functions. The power out of each of the five channels is more than adequate for my speakers (Energy Take 5's) mainly due to the high quality construction of the amplifier within the unit. With regards to sound quality, I have experienced what could be described as very natural sound, not colored by too much or too little midrange or high frequencies. I am not sure about low frequency reproduction with full range speakers, since I use a sub. However, my sub (an 8” Energy e:xl-S8) also sounds great, which I am sure has as much to do with the sub as it does with the quality of the output signal. When considering this review please also keep in mind that I am using digital inputs for both the CD player and the DVD player (a Harmon-Kardon FL8350 and Onkyo Integra DPS-5 respectively). Since I rarely play a non-Digital source through this receiver, I really am not in a position to comment on how well it reproduces analog signals.

The only problem that I have with the receiver is that the sound cuts out in DTS mode when the Cinema Re-Equalization function is turned on. When I took the unit to an Onkyo service center for repair, I was told that Cinema Re-EQ is not supposed to be used with DTS and that the only problem was a printing error in the owner’s manual. Regardless, anyone who owns this unit should not use the Cinema Re-EQ function with DTS mode. When the Re-EQ function was turned off, the sound no longer cut out in DTS mode.

Finally, I think this is great receiver and I would recommend it or one of the newer Integra models to others.

Strengths:
Great power, despite only being rated for 70WX5.
Very high quality construction.
Very natural sound from digital sources.
Terrific value for the money.

Weaknesses:
Remote programming is a little challenging, though very flexible.
DTS mode does work with Cinema Re-EQ function.
No component video inputs/outputs.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Tune Street

Summary:
Bought a demo. I listened around before i bought this piece, and the sound was heads above any of the other recievers i heard. Good features, but some features i'd like to see carried over from the onkyo line are the variable crossover and the bass tone control at 50hz instead of 100hz. Overall great piece and a great buy.

Strengths:
Sound Quality, power, remote.

Weaknesses:
Bass tone control, no pre outs.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha HTR-5540

Price Paid:  $540.00 from Pecar Electronics (T

Summary:
This is a review for the Integra 5.3 :

Well after much comparing and research I have wound up with this new Integra. First, I started by comparing in person, Onkyo, Denon and Harmon. Though the differences are minor, the Onkyo 600 had a better, clearer treble then the other two, so I bought it.

Things were going good with the Onkyo when about a week later I got a call from Pecar Electronics that the new Integras were in (I told them to put me on the list a month or two ago). Started researching the Integras again, and I couldnt help it but to take the Onkyo back, and get this Integra for only 40.00 more.

Well heres the deal: Im using Energy Take 5.2s w/ 8.2 sub and the sound is definitely smoother and more detailed with the Integra. In one word, SWEET. Ive found that not only is the sound a little more detailed, but that the channel separation is better too. Movies are awesome on this, but music is just great. Now, the Energys are not going to blow you away with db levels, but the Integra makes their little aluminum domes just sing and its a beautiful thing. Ive since becaome a big jazz fan just because of this set up. Snare drums, high hats, sax, guitar..ect.. are so detailed! In two channel mode, it totally sounds like the center channel is on, amazing. In 5 channel it actually gets louder, so you know this baby have real watts...Needless to say Im very happy!! Did I mention it looks kick ass too??

Strengths:
* Best remote in class, FULLY backlit
* 6.1 dts-es --- 80 wattsx6
* Nice dsp modes, great 5 channel stereo
* All connections GOLD plated
* Better capacitors, power supply..(over Onkyo)
* Automatically senses what mode to decode(Dolby digital, dts...hell, this thing thinks for you!)
* Nice easy set-up, no on screen needed for speaker distance, large/small ect...

* Looks classy

Weaknesses:
No pre-outs for external amp(If you want to blow your house down, I guess)

Similar Products Used:
Tested Onkyo 600 in home, listened to Denon 2802 and H/K 320 as well.

Price Paid:  $500.00 from audioexpress.ca

Summary:
Review of Integra 5.2 model


Well, anyone going from an older prologic receiver to a Dolby Digital/DTS receiver is going to see a huge difference...regardless of what brand of digital receiver they buy. My old Sony receiver was quite good and had a DSP that could be tweaked to the n'th degree. It also had a cool display which I thought I would miss. After listning to the 5.2 I don't think I'll miss the Sony's display. I actually had been looking into an Onkyo 595 but managed to get the 5.2 cheaper....and it has many upgrades over the 595...such as the backlit remote, 12 volt trigger, rs232 port, blue display, gold connections, silver knobs etc.

The first thing you notice about this receiver is the good looks. The simple black front with the silver knobs gives the impression of a high end audiophile piece. The sound does not betray the looks. This receiver sounds great for both music and DVD movies. It is very easy to set up and I love the remote. It's very functional....allowing you to listen and watch one device while controlling another. It's also backlit which is great and has cool macro features(onebutton carries out multiple commands). I come in and hit one button to turn on the 5.2 receiver, the Satellite receiver, the TV, the VCR, the DVD player, the CD player and put the 5.2 receiver in the video 2 mode at a preset volume level. ( I can even control the TV and VCR in the other room) A friend of mine has a high end Kenwood receiver (3090) which has a 2 way LCD remote that looks good but just plain bites(talk about slow)! I really like the way the volume level increases faster the higher you go.
Aside from it's great convenience features....it just makes you want to listen to it. I would strongly recommend this as it works exceptionally well, sounds great, is a pleasure to use. It also allows you the bragging rights of explaining how Integra is the high end division of Onkyo and how they have lower production numbers and hand pick components...etc....etc....

If you can find this at a great price...snap it up!!

Integra 5.2 AV receiver
Pioneer DV 440 DVD player
Sony 32" trinitron TV
PSB 500 main speakers
Axiom vp150 Center
Axiom EP175 sub
Paradigm Atom rears
Sony hifi VCR
Sony CD player
Star choice 401 satellite

Strengths:
Integra 5.2 model Sound quality; looks; remote; prologic 2; build quality.

Weaknesses:
lack of pre-outs, Bass level is a just average unless you add a Sub....then it's great.

Similar Products Used:
Older Sony Prologic receiver (str1090)