Integra DRX-4.2 (Australian version)

Overview

Integra DRX-4.2 was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 9 channel amplifier and is capable of 11.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 91 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Integra DRX-4.2.

Amplifier

Integra DRX-4.2 has 9 channel amplifier and delivers 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load.

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p. It can bypass HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Integra DRX-4.2 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers or upto 7.1.4 channels by adding 2 channel external amplifier.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer

Integra DRX-4.2 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers or upto 7.1.4 channels by adding 2 channel external amplifier.

A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

DTS Neural:X is a new upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

THX™ Certification

Integra DRX-4.2 is THX™ certified which offers optimal performance, superior quality and seamless integration. THX works with partners from the ground up, so that certified products deliver professional quality audio-visual experiences right out of the box. They only certify the very best products with uncompromised quality, performance and consistency. They ensure that THX certified devices play well with lower performing devices and components. THX listening modes make the receiver to have one speaker set up for movies, music and games. They are tested for power output, bass management, signal-to-noise ratio and feature RE-EQ, timbre matching, boundary gain compensation and THX Loudness Plus. The current model has Select™ (previously known as Select2) class performance. This means that it is ideally suited for a room where the screen-to-seat viewing distance is approximately 3 to 4 meters, and the room size is approximately 56 cubic meters.

Advanced Music Optimizer

Compressed music enhancement in Integra DRX-4.2 is done by Onkyo’s Advanced Music Optimizer. While MP3 or AAC files may sound fine through the headphones of your portable digital player, the limitations of these files can be exposed when played back through a quality home entertainment system. This is because a significant amount of high-frequency bit information is lost during the file-compression process. To counter this, Onkyo has designed the Advanced Music Optimizer to compensate for lost bit information and improve the quality of compressed audio signals. This results in a clearer and more expansive sound. Also included in this technology is a loudness correction feature that further improves the audio character of compressed files.

Room Correction

Integra DRX-4.2 comes with AccuEQ Advance with AccuReflex™ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Integra DRX-4.2 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable. The Receiver works with SONOS and supports Airplay. It has 7 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver. There are 11.2 (shared with Zone 3 Line/Pre Out) channel analog pre-outs for external amplification.

Front panel has HDMI input.

Specifications

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Integra DRX-4.2.

BASICS
Brand	Integra
Model	DRX-4.2
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	Australia
Release Year	2018

AMPLIFIER
Channels	9.2
Front Wide Channel Support
Non-Phase Shift Amplifier
VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)	Front L/R
THX™ Certification	Select™ (previously known as Select2)
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Discrete Output Stage Circuitry	2-Stage
PUSH-PULL Design
Bi-amp Capability	Front L/R Channels

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	32-Bit DSP Chip for Advanced Processing
DAC	AKM AK4458
Maximum Channel Processing	11.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
THX Listening Modes
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, MP3, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction	PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) jitter-cleaning circuitry for SPDIF digital audio
DTS Dialog Control
Dialog Enhancement
Dialog Normalization
Dialogue Lift
Tone Control	All Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Music Optimizer
High-resolution Music Enhancer
THX Processing Mode
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Direct Mode
Pure Audio Mode
Virtual Speakers	T-D (Theater-Dimensional)
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	AccuEQ Advance with AccuReflex™
Standing Wave Control	Standing Wave EQ
Distance Adjustment	0.1 - foot

VIDEO
HDR10
HDR10+
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)
Quick Media Switching (QMS)
Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	480i/576i
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
FlareConnect
Remote Monitoring with ihiji
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Google assistant
Apple Siri
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	Airplay
Apple Product Connection	iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	Integra Control Pro
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
HDBaseT Compatible	In: 1 Out: 1 RS-232: 1 (Pasth through) IR In: 1 (Path through) IR Out: 1 (Path through) Maximum Video Resolution: 4K 60 Hz (YCbCr 4:4:4)
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Input	7 (1 front)
HDMI Output	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
USB Input	1 (Rear)
USB DC Out Port
Analog Audio Line Input	6
Analog Audio Line Output
Phono Input
Optical In	2
Optical Out
Coaxial In/Out	1 /
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	2
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
Analog Pre-Outs	11.2 (shared with Zone 3 Line/Pre Out)
XLR Inputs
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI
Headphone Out	6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	3
Powered Zones	2 and 3
Zone 2	HDMI, RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Whole House Mode
RS-232
+12V Trigger Output	3 (A:100 mA, B:25 mA, C:25 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	2 / 1

MISC
On-Screen Display
GUI Languages	9
IP Control for CI
Control4 SDDP
Detachable Power Cord	Oversized AC Cord
RIHD (Remote Interactive Over HDMI)
Smart Grid-Ready

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM with RDS
Presets	40
Digital Radio
Internet Radio	TuneIn
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Front Panel	Anti-Resonant Aluminum Front Panel
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	11
Large Speaker Terminals	11
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 220-230 V, 50/60 Hz
Independent Power Supply	2
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply)	Massive High Power Transformer
Toroidal Transformer
Power Consumption	760 W
Standby Power	0.15 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 174 mm x 376.5 mm 17-1/8" x 6-7/8" x 14-13/16"
Dimensions of Package (W x H x D)	570 mm x 298 mm x 469 mm 22-7/16" x 11-3/4" x 18-7/16"
Weight	11.2 kg (24.7 lbs)
Weight of Package	14.0 kg (30.9 lbs)
Rack Mount Kit Available	IRK-180-4C
Warranty	3 Years

SPECS
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	185 W (10% THD)
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	175 W (1% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)	250 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	220 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	130 W
THD	0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)	3.5 mV/47 kΩ
Rated Preout Level and Impedance	1 V/470 Ω
Rated Headphone Power Output	85 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD)
Phono Overload	70 mV (MM, 1 kHz 0.5%)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	106 dB
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)	80 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	5 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct)
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
USB Terminal	Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 1.56 µV (15.0 dBf)
AM Frequency	522/530 kHz - 1611/1710 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted

Successor

In 2019 Integra DRX-4.2 was replaced by DRX-4.3. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Integra DRX-4.3	vs	Integra DRX-4.2
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization		vs
IMAX Enhanced		vs
Apple Siri		vs
AirPlay	Airplay 2	vs	Airplay
Wi-Fi		vs
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC	vs
Newer HDCP Version	2.3	vs	2.2
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	7 (1 front)	vs	6
More Composite Video Inputs	3 (1 front)	vs	2

DOWNGRADES	Integra DRX-4.3	vs	Integra DRX-4.2
Less Optical Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Integra DRX-4.3 vs Integra DRX-4.2.