For Denon/Marantz PCM 2CH stereo, you can get 2.1CH (use Subwoofer) in PURE DIRECT mode. That is a FACT.
Now some people will say, "If that's the case, then it's NOT TRULY Pure Direct Mode!"
But thanks to my Karaoke hobby
, I know for a fact that it is TRULY Pure Direct Mode.
Alright, for my Karaoke, whether it is a Denon or Yamaha, if I use anything other than Pure Direct (or Direct), I get this Sound Delay with the microphone.
This tells me that the sound is being further processed if you use Stereo, Straight, etc., which causes the sound delay.
When you use Pure Direct, the sound is NOT being further processed, and you do NOT get this Audio Delay.
If the Pure Direct were FAKE, then the sound would get further processed and you get this audio delay.
So with Denon/Marantz, when you use Pure Direct (no audio delay) you can still get SUBWOOFER management. With everyone else, you cannot get Subwoofer management when you use Pure Direct mode.
I have said this many times - the 2 features I absolutely love about Denon/Marantz and wish Yamaha would implement are 1) Pure Direct Mode Subwoofer Use and 2) Dynamic EQ.