DRX-2.3 vs. DRX-3.3 vs. DRX-4.3 vs. DRX-5.3

Way back in the summer of love (1969 for you youngsters), the “Integra” name first emerged. It went on to become a premium name associated with AV Receivers.

At the time, it was the badge that Onkyo, Integra’s eventual parent company, put on their new top-of-the-line 701 integrated amplifier. The badge was Onkyo’s way of signifying that this amp was at the pinnacle of their company’s technology. For the next three decades, it was used on a very limited number of products.

In 1999, Integra launched as a standalone brand and quickly became an industry favorite. Since then, they have always stayed true to their philosophy, using Onkyo’s prowess to create products that include the latest technology, combined with premium parts and build-quality. Their amps are bigger and better than the competition, and their features set them apart from the pack.

Audio Advice has been an Integra dealer for many years. We love the fact that they are always on the cutting edge of audio/video technology and their products are built like tanks. Our customers love that while most brands have a 1 or 2-year warranty, Integra backs their entire home theater line with an impressive 3-year warranty.

Today we are going to take a look at the models in their home theater receiver lineup — the DRX-2.3, DRX-3.3, DRX-4.3, and DRX-5.3.

First, we will discuss some of the similarities between these models, and then we will break out each model individually and point out some of the features and benefits that you get as you move up the line.

What They Have In Common

While most brands in the home theater space force you to choose between features and performance in the lower price ranges, Integra goes above and beyond. There are actually quite a few similarities between the four models in terms of features, and none of them skimp on sound.

Robust Power Amps

All four models have very large power supplies with high-current capability. This means that they can perform well, even in demanding action scenes, without getting edgy or losing that sense of impact we’re all looking for.

Each uses discrete output devices, just like the best separate power amps on the market. All four also have the ability to bi-amp your main front speakers, should you wish to configure it that way.

AccuEQ

Integra’s proprietary room equalization system, known as AccuEQ, is available on all four of these models. This measures your room using an included microphone, then adjusts for EQ, levels, distance, and crossover frequencies. As with any automatic EQ, we recommend you spot-check the results. What is pretty neat is that Integra lets you bypass AccuEQ for the main left and right speakers, and you can have up to three presets of your own.

All the Latest Formats

Processing for all of the latest surround sound formats is available on all of these models. They can do Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, and HD-Master Audio.

They also all support Dolby Vision and have the very latest chips for 4K HDR. All four models support the latest HDCP 2.3 HDMI technology — so if you have a brand new 4K UHD TV with HDR (High Dynamic Range) you will be able to take advantage of it. If you aren’t on the cutting edge and have an old DVD player, these receivers also have component inputs that upconvert 480i signals to HDMI so you don’t need another cable.

DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

While we feel it is far better to use actual Dolby Atmos height speakers, if you just do not have a way to install them or are saving up for them, these two features synthesize the height effects for you. The result is not as good to our ears as using actual speakers, but you do get a sense of upper effects which is pretty cool.

Audiophile Level DACs

Even the entry-level DRX-2.3 uses some of the best DAC chips out there, capable of 384k/32-bit audio. In layman's terms, this means they can decode just about any Hi-Res Audio file you might find. These not only allow you to enjoy Hi-Res Audio, but everything you listen to will sound better. DACs are a critical part of any modern receiver and we love the fact Integra used some of the best for these new receivers.

Super Flexible Setup Options

When you go to set up your system, all four give you the ability to cross over your speakers in 10Hz increments from as low as 40Hz, all the way up to 200Hz. Many receivers just give you a large or small setting, which puts you at 80Hz or full range. We find when speakers are mounted in cabinets, especially center channel speakers, the cabinet will resonate. Using the fine-tuning available in the Integras, we are usually able to cross over the speaker just above that resonant point and greatly improve the clarity of the center channel for dialog.

When you are stuck with one point it's almost impossible to do, but you would be amazed at the difference fine-tuning between, say 90Hz and 100Hz, will make in some cabinets. The lower end also lets you get the most out of your large front speakers and send only the deepest tones to your subwoofer by crossing over in the 40-50Hz range. This is simply impossible to do when you have only two choices.

Built-in MM Phono Preamp

If you enjoy listening to vinyl, each of these models also has a built-in phono stage capable of handling moving magnet cartridges.

App Control

For those of you who prefer apps to handheld remotes, Integra has a great app for both Apple and Android. This app can also serve up Hi-Res music files to your Integra receiver.

Works With Sonos

The Sonos music streamers and players are the world's most popular. If you connect up a Sonos Port (their streamer) to one of these Integra receivers, you will be able to seamlessly integrate the receiver into your Sonos music ecosystem.

Easy Streaming

The Integras are loaded with nearly every option you can think of, including Bluetooth, Google Chromecast, Apple Airplay 2, DLNA network streaming, Amazon Music, Deezer, Spotify, and TuneIn. And if that is not enough, they all come with DTS Play-Fi built-in which supports just about every music app we know of including our two Hi-Res favorites Qobuz and Tidal.

That’s a ton of features that all of these models share. Now let’s have a look at the differences.

A Word About Power Ratings

Before we start on the comparison, we want to talk a little bit about power ratings and home theater receivers. When you are comparing brands and models, make sure you find the specification that shows the power rating with the main two channels driven across the full audio spectrum of 20-20,000 Hz with a distortion figure that is less than .1%. You may have to download the owner's manual to find this spec as even Integra puts more, shall we say, “optimistic numbers” on their website since this seems to be how most brands are going.

The number you should be looking for is the FTC spec which will give you a receiver's honest power rating. That number may be half as much as some of the marketing numbers you might see.

Another easy way to tell if a unit has a real amp is to simply look up the weight. Good-sounding amplifiers are usually not very light, and all of these Integras weigh in at 20 pounds or more!

Integra DRX-2.3 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver

The DRX-2.3 is rated at 80 watts per channel. It has 7 powered channels on board which gives you some great options for surround sound. Our recommended one would be to go with 5.1.2 which would get you into Dolby Atmos, but you also can set it up for basic 5.1 or 7.1.

For connectivity, the DRX-2.3 has 6 HDMI inputs with both a main and zone 2 HDMI out, 4 analog on the rear with an additional on the front, and 2 digital inputs, more than enough for most systems. Don’t forget that it also includes a built-in phono stage.

If you’re interested in connecting a pair of speakers in another room, the DRX-2.3 has a powered zone 2 feature. It allows you to send a feed through the receiver from any network source or any of the analog inputs. It can technically send audio from an HDMI source, but you will have to go in and change that source to PCM output, which means you would be defeating surround sound in your main room.

For most systems, if you care about great sound, and want to get into the world of streaming music, the DRX-2.3 would be a great choice. It really gives great audio performance for well under $1,000 and should last for many years.

Integra DRX-3.3 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver

Jumping up to the DRX-3.3 gets you 90 watts per channel and a bit beefier of a power amp section, in the same sized chassis. The DRX-3.3 gives you two more powered channels that can be used for several combinations of either all for immersive home theater or split out to drive more audio zones.

You can set it up to do 5.2.4 which will use all of the amp channels, or any seven-channel combination like 5.2.2 or 7.2 with a powered second zone, or a basic 5.1 with a powered zone 2 and zone 3. It also adds preamp out for zone 2 should you use all 9 onboard channels for your home theater.

You get an extra HDMI input (7 total). The HDMI input is found on the front panel which really comes in handy for plugging in a laptop or a device you don’t use all the time. Integra adds two more analog inputs on the rear for a total of 6, plus the built-in phono input.

Zone 2 playback is set up the same way as the DRX-2.3, and Zone 3 will play analog sources only.

The Accu EQ is upgraded to their advanced version which will do a better job of finding and reducing standing wave acoustic problems in your theater room.

For improved home theater audio, Integra added IMAX Enhanced. When you have IMAX content you can select an IMAX mode that will deliver the sound the producers intended.

Most people will move up to the DRX-3.3 to get the extra pair of speakers for a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Or you may want to make the DRX-3.3 a center for the music in three rooms of your home with a more basic 5.1 home theater configuration.

In either case, you’ll get that warm, full Integra sound that is built to last for decades.

Integra DRX-4.3 9.2-Channel Network A/V Home Theater Receiver

When you move from the DRX-3.3 to the DRX-4.3, the upgrade is all about better audio quality and some zone 2 and 3 enhancements.

Integra has focused on making the DRX-4.3 sound better and has the ability to drive more difficult speaker loads with ease.

While it has the same number of channels as the DRX-3.3, the DRX-4.3 weighs in at about 15% more due to the more massive power supply. You’ll get bigger filter caps also connected with solid copper bus bars for more current capability. The DRX-4.3 is rated at 100 watts per channel.

We love the fact that while it has the same number of powered channels as the DRX-3.3, it adds onboard processing for 11.2 channels and gives you full preamp outputs for all of the channels. This means you could later add a small stereo power amp to go all the way to immersive 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos surround sound.

The number of inputs is the same as the DRX-3.3, but Integra adds DACs for Zone 2 and Zone 3, which means you can send HDMI and digital sources out to those zones in sync with your main zone.

If you have fairly easy to drive speakers and do not plan to go beyond a 9-channel home theater, the DRX-3.3 may be the better value for you. However, if you want your speakers to really come to life and have some option value for future expansion, the DRX-4.3 gives you that along with better sound.

Integra DRX-5.3 9.2-Channel Network A/V Home Theater Receiver

If you were to compare the features, inputs, and outputs of the DRX-4.3 against the DRX-5.3, you would find they are pretty much identical. So why is the DRX-5.3 much larger physically and weighs over 6 pounds more than the DRX-4.3? Better sound, pure and simple!

Integra totally beefed up the amplifier section of the DRX-5.3 to deliver not only more power with a real-world rating of 120 watts per channel, but they also used much better component parts.

While there is no real feature difference between the two, if you pop the top cover, you’ll see a world of difference in the amp sections. Most of the weight that puts it at a whopping 31 pounds for a home theater receiver comes from the massive power supply.

If you want a true cinema experience at home, the DRX-5.3 will be much more dynamic and offer far more impact, especially when watching demanding action films. The extra $$$ over the DRX-4.3 goes entirely to the sound -- just the way we like it!

Choosing the Right Integra Receiver for You

Integra makes some of the very best home theater receivers on the market, so you should feel confident that you’re getting a great piece of gear, no matter which model you choose. Selecting the right receiver is really about what is most important to you and how you will be using the system.

If you have read through this entire article and are still having some trouble deciding, please feel free to email us, give us a call, chat with us on our website, or drop by one of our stores in Raleigh or Charlotte. We would be more than happy to help you find the perfect Integra home theater receiver to meet your unique needs.