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From Casablanca 3 to Integra 80.3?

I have a 4 year old Casablanca 3 with Extreme DACs on the left and right channels. I want to move into home theatre but do not have the HDMI upgrade. I know that one option is to pay $5000 for the upgrade, but I'm not keen on that. Frankly, the Casablanca is much too sophisticated for me. I'd like a simpler machine that has today's video processing capabilities (including 3D), if possible. I also would like not to depend on Casablanca's pricey upgrades.

But, what's most important is the sound. I don't want to give up the Extreme's DAC performance. If possible, I'm interested in even better DACs if they exist.

My system is Legacy Whisper with matching CODA amps. The video source is OPPO 93. The stereo is extremely revealing, and the Casablanca DACs made a huge difference when I first got it.

People have recommended the Integra 80.3. Is this the way to go? How will the DAC compare to the Casablanca? Better or worse (on the one hand it's not as high end, on the other hand it's 5 years newer).

If yes to the Integra, where can I get a deal online?

Thanks for any advice.
moosik

Showing 2 responses by dbphd

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dbphd
1,616 posts
 
A reasonable alternative that could preserve the audio quality you want might be a Classe SSP 800, especially if you could find one on Audiogon. When I replaced my Proceed PAV/PDSD to get HDMI, processing for the lossless codecs, and bit-stream DSD, I settled on a Cary 11a because I got such a good deal. I use a DVDO iScan Duo for video processing the output of a DirecTV HD-DVR; the HDMI-1 video output from an Oppo 93 or 95 doesn't need external processing. I listened to an Integra 80.1, their current model at the time, but didn't get the sense of air and transparency I wanted.

An Oppo 95 might work if you can live with six cables running between the disc player and processor, but I don't know if the lossless codecs can be output analog. My setup does both music and HT, and I gather that's what you want too.

db
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dbphd
1,616 posts
 
Of course, you could add a separate Audyssey unit to kill all the birds with multiple stones, then hire a pro to calibrate your setup. The expected result would be outstanding sound for music and HT, the best of both worlds.

I'm not sure computer audio would use an HDMI connection; my reading of posts here and at the Asylum suggests not, but I have no experience in this matter.

db
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