Goodbye Integra...Hello Sherbourn

[Yamaki]

I've been researching a replacement for my Integra DHC 40.1 pre-amp/processor for a few months and was surprised to see that Sherbourn had almost halved their prices on a good bit of their line.

After talking with a few Sherbourn owners and reading some of the reviews, I pulled the trigger on a new PT-7030 AVR.

With a very versatile and extensive set of HDMI Inputs and Outputs, it will easily handle my HDMI switching needs, even for those components I haven't acquired yet!

My Integra is a nice unit but lacking in musical depth and detail. The Sherbourn received very positive reviews, even though it lacks some of the "convenience" features many users would almost consider standard these days, such as a room EQ system or any form of auto setup feature.

However, it does does have a powerful discrete, 10-band, multi-channel parametric EQ for each of its seven channels, as well as the subwoofer channel.

I'm looking forward to unpacking this unit, setting it up, tweaking it and giving it a HT and musical workout!

[W9TR]

Michael,
Nice to see! I have a Sherborn 5 channel amp in my theater and like it a lot. It just works. The Emotiva people bought Sherbourn and have been pretty aggressive with pricing by taking the brand direct. The price on their website is unbelievable for a unit of this capability.
Tom

[Yamaki]

Thanks, Tom. I am anxious to plug it in and put it to work!

[W9TR]

Michael,
Let me know how it sounds. When do you think you'll be able to fire it up? I see they also have a 40% discount card as part of the deal. You could sell that on da bay for $300 and then you'll have a $600 pre/pro on your hands!

[Yamaki]

I'll pick it up from FedEx this Friday so I'll be swapping cables as early as this weekend, maybe as late as next weekend. Then I have some programming to do.

I'll probably auction off that discount card as you mentioned and I already have an interested party in the Integra so this is gonna be a cheap upgrade!

[Yamaki]

I was not able to do anything with the pre-pro this weekend at all.

But I did unpack it tonight!





I have an acquaintance, who is a custom installer, coming over Wednesday evening to help with some setup. Then he can re-program my integrated remote too!

[Yamaki]

I got it plugged in, inputs hooked up, outputs managed, triggers in place and some of the settings done. I still have a ways to go but I can hear a difference. It's a hefty piece but no where as heavy as an amplifier. Nice clean exterior, clear display that can be dimmed.

I got some help with updating my URC remote last night so now I can control it along with the rest of the system with that remote.

Now I get to dive into some speaker settings, EQ settings and few other odds and ends.

So far, so good!