Setup and Configuration

The OSD of the RDC-7 was self-explanatory and user-friendly. Without referring to the manual, we were able to navigate freely and set up the appropriate parameters.

The Speaker Setup section has five main menu options including speaker configuration, speaker distance, level calibration, bass peak level and LFE level setup.

Speaker Distance adjustments are a useful feature as it allows for customization based on room size between 1 to 30 feet (0.3 to 9 meters). This important feature allows adjustment of timing via a group delay and it helps to provide proper time alignment of all speakers to a reference seated position, thus ensuring the recording is heard properly. The RDC-7 also provides distance (group delay) adjustment for the subwoofer, unlike some "high-end" processors which lack this basic feature. This ensures optimal acoustical blending between the speakers and subwoofer system.

Level calibration provides speaker volume adjustments for each channel, including the subwoofer. The volume calibration level provides +/- 0.5dB accuracy, which is once again an improvement to many well known "high-end" processors that only provide +/- 1dB. For those serious home theater enthusiast who calibrate speaker level's using a SPL meter, a difference of 0.5dB when trying to obtain uniform speaker level volumes for all channels is critical.

We did notice one slight flaw in the RDC-7 test tone. We first adjusted all speaker levels with the internal pink noise generated of the processor (reference level 75dB) while carefully measuring their respective levels with a Radio Shack SPL Meter at a fixed distance. Once we were certain all channels were approximately set to the same level, we decided to double check our results by using an external source calibration disc. To accomplish this, we used Ovation Software's AVIA Guide to Home Theater DVD. Once again, we carefully measured levels for each channel. It was then that we noticed a difference in the channel to channel levels. Using the AVIA DVD as the source, the center channel measured 1dB louder than the mains and the surrounds each measured 2dB lower when compared to the test tones of the RDC-7. We were unable to verify the pink noise for the back surrounds as the AVIA Guide to Home Theater DVD did not feature pink noise for 7.1 surround. We did report this potential pink noise bug to Integra Research and are awaiting their response.

We recently discovered that the RDC-7 provided separate speaker level trim settings for multi-channel input. This was not a well advertised feature, and in our initial review, we totally missed this fact. It wasn't until we received constructive feedback from in our forum discussion by one of our members (thanks MBRiley) that we discovered this feature. Not even a tech guru at Integra Research picked up on this. Although the RDC-7 only included one storage bank for speaker level settings accessible within the OSD, it did allow speaker level trim settings to be adjusted and stored On-The-Fly when in multi-channel input. This was extremely useful when switching between SACD and/or DVD-Audio and back to DD / DTS sources. This is due to the inherent subwoofer level differences of the formats. In DVD-A / SACD, the subwoofer output is significantly lower than DD / DTS (as much as 15dB!). With this additional speaker level trim setting, we were able to change the subwoofer level and speaker level settings for DVD-A and SACD. Many other "high-end" processors do not offer this feature. In fact, it wasn't until the most recent releases of some receivers that additional speaker level trim settings even became available.

The RDC-7 also provided speaker level settings On-The-Fly for digital inputs. This too came in handy for when you wish to tweak the volume of the center, rears or surrounds while listening to a digital source. These On-The-Fly settings were stored in the memory bank found within the OSD. Although, perhaps it would be better if these settings were not permanently stored. While I found it useful to change level settings On-The-Fly, it really depends on the source you are listening to. My feeling is that the O-T-F settings should not permanently change the calibration settings that we configured with s Sound Level Meter.

For more information on Set-Up and Configuration of the RDC-7: Download the attached RDC-7 Instruction Manual .

Listening Mode Preset is perhaps the most useful feature within the On Screen Menu setup. It allows you to set a different listening mode for each signal type that comes from any input source, while providing parameter settings for the listening mode. If you take the DVD player as an example, the processor will automatically detect and default to the DTS or Dolby Digital mode. What is especially useful about this feature is its ability to detect the varying signal from satellite or cable TV digital inputs. Throughout the day, there are a few programs broadcasted in Dolby Digital 5.1, with more broadcasted in Dolby Digital 2.0 and the rest in PCM. The RDC-7 can sense the movies that are being transmitted in DD 5.1 and select the Dolby Digital setting automatically. If the movie is broadcast in DD 2.0 or PCM, the RDC-7 automatically selects the surround mode you programmed into the default. My personal preferences for DD 2.0 or PCM movies are either Pro-Logic II or DTS Neo as explained in the sections that follow.

For more information on Listening Mode Presets for the RDC-7: Download the attached RDC-7 Instruction Manual .

The RDC-7 provided another very useful feature. It allowed coarse tone control adjustments for bass and treble that can be stored for each input (for digital only). This was especially useful for boosting the bass a bit for the satellite TV input. It may also help those with inefficient speakers or poor room acoustics and are therefore looking for a little extra bass.

The Preference Menu provides settings for customizing certain functions, including Volume Setup, On Screen Display setup and tweak.