With Intregra's latest A/V receivers, even the low-end models are high end

With Intregra’s latest A/V receivers, even the low-end models are high end

By Kris Wouk June 5, 2016

integra unveils new drx av receivers mqa dolby atmos dtsx 5 featured manual — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the average home theater enthusiast, the Integra name may not mean much, but for those looking for a true theater in their home, Onkyo’s high-end brand is instantly recognizable. Now, the company has unveiled four new feature-packed 7.2-channel A/V receivers aimed at the custom installation market.

As with any A/V receiver worth its salt these days, each model in the new line includes support for both 4K UHD and HDR, including 4:4:4 color space, BT.2020, and HDCP 2.2. For those with a 4K TV that doesn’t feature built-in upscaling, the DRX series features a built-in upscaler.

On the audio side, the DRX line supports Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound in a 5.1.2 configuration at launch. As with many recently released receivers, DTS:X will also be supported with a firmware update planned for this summer.

At launch, streaming via AirPlay, Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn radio, as well as internet radio, is supported. A planned future firmware update will also reportedly add support for Tidal, Google Cast, and FireConnect for multiroom playback. High-resolution in formats like DSD 11.2 MHz is supported out of the gate, with MQA support reportedly to be added in the same future firmware update.

The highest-end models of the DRX line are the DRX-5 and DRS-4, both of which are THX Select2 Plus-certified and offer HDBaseT output. These models also feature a Zone 3, which offers housewide synchronized audio in whole house mode.

The DRX-5 is the more powerful of the two units, offering a claimed 130 watts per channel, but the DRX-4 is no slouch at a claimed 110 watts per channel. You’ll pay for that power — the DRX-5 has a retail price of $1,700 while the DRX-4 retails for $1,300.

The DRX-3 and DRX-2 might not offer all of the features aimed at the custom installer included in the higher-end models — it has a total of seven HDMI ports compared to eight on the more expensive models — but they still pack major features and power. The DRX-3 offers a claimed 100 watts per channel at a retail price of $1,000 while the DRX-2 offers a claimed 80 watts per channel for $800.

Each model in the new DRX series is available for purchase now. For more information and detailed specs, see the Integra website.

(A version of this post first appeared on our “brother site” Digital Trends.