AVR Direct mode ?

[Old Onkyo]

Every AVR I have owned lists Direct mode as having the cleanest audio sound for music.
When I listen to music in Direct mode the volume is cut by 50% to my ear, and to get any decent volume I have to run the receiver high.
Is that normal? Any ideas to get better performance?

 

[HTfreak2004]

When you say direct mode are we referring to the pass through feature of the AVR from say a source component(Bluray, DVD, universal player, CD player, etc) which simply turns the AVR into a volume control without using its internal DAC for digital decoding?

The AVR will simply pass the decoded signal on to the amp correct?

 

[Old Onkyo]

 

[Pogre]

I prefer DEQ myself. I don't listen in direct pure/direct outside of just switching back and forth between modes to experiment.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Every AVR I have owned lists Direct mode as having the cleanest audio sound for music.
When I listen to music in Direct mode the volume is cut by 50% to my ear, and to get any decent volume I have to run the receiver high.
Is that normal? Any ideas to get better performance?

Not really surprising. Especially if you’re used to running with audyssey on and definitely with DEQ. I personally don’t like direct as it can be a little sterile sounding to ME. I do use it here and there but mostly just to remind myself that I really enjoy the house curve I’ve built into my system. Back to your question, since audyssey will boost some frequencies it’s not surprising that with it off, the system is quieter. 50% however is a lot, was that hyperbole?

 

[little wing]

I would agree with both Pogre and William. Where the manual says "higher sound quality", that's purely subjective. I have a Yamaha, and pure direct turns off the sub output , which I like to have the sub on for music. So I don't use pure direct much. The volume gets lower when I switch to pure direct too. I think Dolby surround up-mixer sounds best for music.

 

[Old Onkyo]

Not really surprising. Especially if you’re used to running with audyssey on and definitely with DEQ. I personally don’t like direct as it can be a little sterile sounding to ME. I do use it here and there but mostly just to remind myself that I really enjoy the house curve I’ve built into my system. Back to your question, since audyssey will boost some frequencies it’s not surprising that with it off, the system is quieter. 50% however is a lot, was that hyperbole?

No hyperbole, but I haven’t measured it. It is quite significant. My favorite mode is all channel stereo, multi eq:reference, DEQ on, dynamic volume light.

My ultimate fear is not realizing the full potential of my gear due to ignorance.

OTH, had some people over yesterday, she is a singer, he is a pianist, ten seconds in she said “wow, that sounds good” , he was putting his ears to the speakers trying to figure out which ones were playing!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

No hyperbole, but I haven’t measured it. It is quite significant. My favorite mode is all channel stereo, multi eq:reference, DEQ on, dynamic volume light.

My ultimate fear is not realizing the full potential of my gear due to ignorance.

OTH, had some people over yesterday, she is a singer, he is a pianist, ten seconds in she said “wow, that sounds good” , he was putting his ears to the speakers trying to figure out which ones were playing!

Well all channel stereo vs direct would definitely explain much of the volume thing. It’s basically 2 speakers vs 4(5 if the center is included). Personally I dislike all channel stereo and prefer Dolby surround or dts nueral x. Sometimes stereo too.
For the “full potential” of your gear, that’s a tricky one to put a finger on since it can mean many things to many people.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I would agree with both Pogre and William. Where the manual says "higher sound quality", that's purely subjective. I have a Yamaha, and pure direct turns off the sub output , which I like to have the sub on for music. So I don't use pure direct much. The volume gets lower when I switch to pure direct too. I think Dolby surround up-mixer sounds best for music.

Yeah I like DSU as well. Their should be a disclaimer in the manual about “higher sound quality” stating something like its cleaner or unequalized or something like that, and state that higher quality would be subjective since many of us don’t like it. I too prefer my subs in use.

 

[Old Onkyo]

Well all channel stereo vs direct would definitely explain much of the volume thing. It’s basically 2 speakers vs 4(5 if the center is included). Personally I dislike all channel stereo and prefer Dolby surround or dts nueral x. Sometimes stereo too.
For the “full potential” of your gear, that’s a tricky one to put a finger on since it can mean many things to many people.

I will listen at those modes and let you know what I think.

 

[Phase 2]

Not really surprising. Especially if you’re used to running with audyssey on and definitely with DEQ. I personally don’t like direct as it can be a little sterile sounding to ME. I do use it here and there but mostly just to remind myself that I really enjoy the house curve I’ve built into my system. Back to your question, since audyssey will boost some frequencies it’s not surprising that with it off, the system is quieter. 50% however is a lot, was that hyperbole?

Totally agree, setting are set to "flat" 0. All tone controls, EQ, or autocorrected adjustments are all bypassed. I believe even bass bass boost or double bass settings are even by past. Now 2.1 may be possible I believe. I have tried the direct mode didn't like it. Why cause I'm not a flat set music listener. I like to tweet, why cause I like to move it! I like my music wave the way I like it, cause I like to move it, move it with my music.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sounds like all the dsp you're using boosts the output some vs pure direct. I can't stand all-ch stereo for normal listening, much prefer a surround upmix over that. As to whether turning off the panel light or a bit less dsp makes a huge difference between direct and pure direct, meh. AVR manuals also encourge stupid bi-wiring and passive bi-amping, too as far as that goes. What volume levels are you listening at?

 

[Bucknekked]

I prefer DEQ myself. I don't listen in direct pure/direct outside of just switching back and forth between modes to experiment.

When I experiment with Pure Direct vs the mode that I used to setup the system with Audyssey, I don't hear much of a sound level difference. In other words, the volume doesn't go up or down much at all between the two modes. I don't experience what the OP is experiencing. Pure Direct is a little different than Audyssey in how it sounds, but not in volume.

 

[Pogre]

When I experiment with Pure Direct vs the mode that I used to setup the system with Audyssey, I don't hear much of a sound level difference. In other words, the volume doesn't go up or down much at all between the two modes. I don't experience what the OP is experiencing. Pure Direct is a little different than Audyssey in how it sounds, but not in volume.

Mine gets a little quieter in pure direct. I think the bigger room and distance from my speakers might have a lot to do with that. There's more room correction going on I think. I definitely notice a difference in spl.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well all stereo mode would explain part of it, due additional output in the surround channels that isn't normally part of a surround mix/upmix.

 

[Pogre]

Well all stereo mode would explain part of it, due additional output in the surround channels that isn't normally part of a surround mix/upmix.

Definitely. I missed that part of his post.

 

[lovinthehd]

Definitely. I missed that part of his post.

Altho if only comparing it to other use of multi-ch stereo then who knows. 50% by his ear could mean a lot of things, too.

 

[Old Onkyo]

Note: when I listen to multi channel stereo, my surround speakers sit next to my mains. They are no longer “surrounds”.

 

[lovinthehd]

Note: when I listen to multi channel stereo, my surround speakers sit next to my mains. They are no longer “surrounds”.

Why do you do that? Just more volume or ?

 

[snakeeyes]

I don’t see anything wrong with using the dsp modes. All channels stereo is like a car stereo somewhat.