Onkyo Integra DTR-5.3

Review by Jeff Spirko.

I'm a physicist, so don't expect too much from this review.

Appearance

Of course it looks nice, it's from Integra. Look at the pictures from the marketing company. It's the same width as most receivers, and maybe a little bit taller.

Connections

One thing to note is that the DTR-5.3 does seem to contain the Y/C Separation circuit. This means that if you have a VCR connected to the Video1 input via a composite signal, and the TV connected to the S-Video monitor output, you get a picture. For some reason, the initial feature list for this receiver says only the DTR-6.3 contains this feature.

On the back panel, there are 2 digital optical and 1 digital coax inputs, and 1 digital optical output. There are 2 component video inputs and 1 output. The component video never gets converted to/from S-Video and composite video, and the on-screen displays don't get sent to the component video output. (You wouldn't want that signal to get messed up anyway.)

There are analog inputs for a CD player, and in/out for a tape/MD recorder. The DVD input has composite and S-Video (use one or the other) and the 5.1 analog inputs if you're insane and want to use your DVD player's decoder. Filling out the video are one video in/out (Video1 for a VCR) and 2 other video inputs, all with S-Video, composite, and L/R analog. In addition, a front-panel optical and S-Video input is convenient for video games or cameras. Both S-Video and composite video are available for output.

The digital inputs can be assigned however you want. For each device, you say which digital input is associated with it. For me, both my DVD and CD devices point to the coax digital input from the DVD player. You also specify which of the 2 RGB inputs should be used if that input is selected. Each device has its own adjustable volume in case something is too loud or quiet.

One gee-whiz feature is an RS-232 (aka serial) connector. I'm gonna have to find out how to make this work. Then I can run speaker wires upstairs and control the amp from my computer. I guess this is what the A-Bus is for, but there's a certain satisfaction to a more do-it-yourself setup.

The DTR-5.3 does lack a Phono input, which the DTR-6.3 has. If you have a turntable, you may want to take this into consideration.

The amp has a lot of speaker configuration options.

  Sub-woofer       Yes/No          (must be powered sub)
  L/R Fronts       Large/Small     (only Large with no sub)
  Front Center     Large/Small/No
  L/R Surround     Large/Small/No
  Surround Center  Large/Small/No

So it can put up with what you have.

Other connections are the AM and FM antennas, 12-volt triggers programmable to be on when certain inputs are active, the A-Bus connectors, 2 types of remote control connectors, and 2 switched AC outlets (Total 120 Watts max). The AC cord is detachable also.

Remote Control

This is the best remote I have. I've heard Onkyo makes great remotes, and I wasn't disappointed. Sure, I'd like to use a Palm Pilot or Handspring organizer, or even the CHAD or some other touchscreen remote, but this one's pretty good. It's easy to program, unlike the standard one-for-all remotes. And, it can learn every button on every device-type it has, just in case you have weird equipment.

The learning feature is easy to use and hard to accidentally enter. Once you're in learning mode, you just press the new button, then hit the button on the old remote. Repeat as necessary. So even programming all the digits from my Apex DVD remote wasn't a big deal. "one one, two two, ...". Takes like 4 seconds per button.

The remote is also back-lit if desired, and the current device key lights up and stays on for a few seconds any time you hit a button. That way when it doesn't work, you look down and realize that you just told the receiver to change surround mode instead of setting the TV to channel 44.

Integra does use the same remote for the DTR-5.3 and DTR-6.3, so there are a few unused buttons in RCVR mode, but that's okay.

Ease of Use

Hook it up, turn it on, configure the speakres, and make noise. Pretty simple, actually. The amp generates test tones so you can balance the volumes. Alternatively, Pink Floyd's The Wall on DVD has a neat set-up section.

Oh yeah, sound

I think speakers make a larger difference in sound quality than the amplifier does. My speakers are lousy, period. I have 2 old Realistic (yeah, Radio Shack, ugh) bookshelf speakers for the L/R Surround, 2 Techniques cabinet speakers for the sub-woofers (hooked to my old Kenwood amplifier), and 2 Paradigm Atom bookshelf speakers for the L/R Fronts. Needless to say, only the last two are any good. The Paradigm Atoms sound great, but lack bass, hence the rigging of a fake sub-woofer from the old system. The general plan is to go to an all-Paradigm setup, which is worthy of the amplifier.

The sound is, of course, good. Once my speaker setup is complete, I'll have a better measuring stick. I don't have a center speaker, but the center channel image is still pretty good.

Random Features

There is a "late night" setting which reduces the dynamic range of some Dolby Digital signals. In other words, you can hear quiet sounds without waking the neighbors/kids with the sound effects. I wish this worked on all input signals.

Almost all features are accessible both on the amp and in the remote control. This is essential for those awkward moments when the remote happens to be hidden under a pillow.

Wish list

It would be cool if all home electronics could generate the remote control signals needed to manipulate them. Then if you lose the remote, you can still program a learning remote.

The "late night" setting should work on all types of signals.

The A-Bus shouldn't require an external 24-volt power supply.

I need the specs for the RS-232 connection.

A protective cover should be provided for the A-Bus connector.

Is there a way of un-muting from the console?

I would like to name the tuner's preset stations. Maybe the name could be received from stations that broadcast it.