Wrong. 7.1CH can be used for 2.0 of course, just using L and R inputs. I wrote Marantz to ask how could I bypass internal DAC now that they have removed the 7.1CH analog inputs and I have to use the normal RCA input. And you can see the reply: IT CANNOT BE BYPASSED
Sorry that you feel mislead. It's mentioned in previous messaging that the DSP and all processing is bypassed, but not the internal DAC. Again, apologies if that caused confusion.
I am 99% sure I am not wrong, neither would
@gene be wrong. We are both EE (don't have to be, but it often might help in terms of not taking manufacturer's first line customer support for granted, they are human, so can make honest mistakes, especially if the question somehow confused or biased them
).
Amir of ASR, also an EE, has been measuring many Denon and Marantz AVRs/AVPs and he too, confirmed by his measurements on previous models
before the AV10, that signal via the analog inputs will get routed to the ADC, DSP, DAC signal path if you don't use direct/pure direct mode. If you do use direct and pure direct mode, then the analog input signal will bypass the ADC/DSP/DAC block and go straight to the Volume control.
I think people get confused by the old myth, originated from the time when all Denon, Marantz upper mid range AVRs have the so called multichannel (mostly 7.1, some 5.1) analog inputs, that naturally will bypass the ADC/DSP/DAC, because the main purpose of those multichannel analog inputs are there so that audiophiles who believe their SACD, DVD, BDP by Sony, Oppo, and higher end units have superior DSP/DACs so they want to use the players own DAC instead of the lower grade ones in the AVRs and AVPs.
Unfortunately, just because those AVRs/AVPs have such 7.1 analog inputs that bypass the internal DACs, some smart people were misled to think if you use the other 2 channel analog inputs, it would mean the internal DAC will not be bypassed. This is of course untrue, or only true to certain AVRs (can't think of any example off hand). Think about it, why would a $7,500 AV10 not providing a few low cost IC switches to bypass the internal ADC/DSP and DAC, when they did it for even the mid range $999 AVR-X3400H, SR5013 kind of AVRs? That would make no sense right? Now if the AV10 actually upgraded the ADC and use high fs such as 384 kHz, then yes, they may think that there is no point to bypass analog input signals, in terms of potential sound quality degradation due to the unnecessary conversion. Reality is, D+M has been using the AK5358 ADC and fs used was 96 kHz as Gene also mentioned, so if they had continued that same practice, then based on Gene's measurements, there is no way the analog input signal get double converted, theoretically impossible as Gene already explained.
The reason why I am 99% sure but not 100% is, there is a slim outside chance that D+M up their game on the ADC. As far as I know, Anthem did upgraded their ADC on their AVPs, to ESS Sabre's flagship model, but they still keep the analog input signal bypassable in the AVM70 and the $7,500 AVM90. I think they do that to avoid upsetting potential customers like you, who believe their external DACs would offer superior sound to the already top notched ones in the likes of Marantz, Anthem, and Arcam's flagship AVPs.
So again, Marantz would have been really silly to force their fans to double convert!!
Back to Marantz in general, I can assure you that it has been true that the analog signals does bypass the internal ADC/DSP/DAC in direct/pure direct mode for years. There is no reason for the AV10 and A1H to deviate from such good practice, that not only keep cost low, but also keep their fans happy.
Just an example, below is one response from Marantz, about the AV7705, and the question got asked because of the same confusion originated from forums such as AVSforum when some people started the misconception about the difference between the 2 channel input and multichannel input regardless the bypass/or not of the internal DAC, when there was none in that sense.
If you read the thread on this same topic on AVSF, and you obvious participate, there are posts quoted the response from that one Marantz rep, but on several posts, when questioned further, it appeared that the customer support rep wasn't really sure, and supposedly promised to consult their supervisor(s), though also apparently never got back to the enquirer.
While waiting for update/follow up from Marantz take a look of the following, also from Marantz customer support, but it was for the older model, I am posting it only for info, knowing full well that it does not mean the answer should be the same for the AV10. The info is still relevant, because the same bunch of people also spread the same myth back then, on the previous D+M models.
Staff Account NJ Customer Support via Email02/05/2020 02:58 PM
Hello,
Looking at the Analog Audio Block in the 7705's service manual it appears that an analog input signal while in Direct or Pure Direct mode does bypass the DSP and there's no ADC / DAC at that point. The signal is sent to 2 independent switches, then to the Volume IC and finally to the HDAM module before it goes to the pre-out section.
One can also refer to the service manuals:
A typical block diagrams look like the one for the AV8805, I think it is okay to post because it was publictly available for download shortly after the AV8805 was launched, and I believe others have posted in on the internet already.
Below is the one that shows the analog input path:
Since it is just a block diagram that shows the signal flow for different paths, one does not need to be an EE to understand it, but if there are questions, please just ask.
Be clear, that's for the AV8805, the AV10 will be different but it is hard to imagine the signal flow would differ by much, and I seem to recall seeing something similar, from either Marantz own marketing info, or in the Masimo video. If I can find it, I will post it here so you can see it for yourself.
One thing I would like to add is, while those Marantz reps are helpful, if the answers are not in the owner's manual, or their own internal manuals, they would not always know the correct answer, and I personally know that they had given incorrect answers before. So when there is anything uncertain about a slightly more complicated topic like this, it would help to insist they consult there level two support. I have done that sort of things a couple times in the past and it worked, but other times, they never got back to me.
