Yamaha "Direct Stereo" vs "Pure Direct"

[Electone]

I'm confused with these two features. My guess is that they are exactly the same. The RX-V2400 states that in "Direct Stereo" mode, all processing is shut off and the analog signal is passes directly to the amplifiers. This sounds exactly the same as the RX-V2500's "Pure Direct" mode.

Am I incorrect?

 

[Nomo]

I'm sure there are some differences between the two, but my ears can't hear them.

 

[rschleicher]

I think that "Pure Direct" on newer Yamaha receivers, and "Direct Stereo" on some slightly older models (or is this Denon's corresponding term?) is basically the same thing. For my RX-V750, the "Pure Direct" description in the manual says that:

- only works on 2 ch. analog, or 2-ch PCM (i.e. digital feed from a CD)
- if an input is providing multi-channel digital (e.g. Dolby Digital or DTS from a DVD, then the receiver will try to use the corresponding analog input, if it exists (I think this is what they are saying, anyway)
- power to "video circuit" is shut down (therefore no video switching or upconverting)
- "certain modes" are not operational. Implication is that all of the DSP modes are turned off, as well as decoding of multi-channel digital (but, basic PCM decoding still works)
(I don't use the multi-channel analog inputs, so I don't know if Pure Direct lets all channels pass through from the multi-channal analog inputs.)
- tone controls are bypassed
- "set-up settings" are not effective (i.e., YPAO settings, or the manual equivalents) - so, no level adjusments, EQ, delay-time adjustments, bass management, etc. Just have front two channels fed to the front speakers.
- display is turned off, presumably to reduce chance of noise, unlikely as that may be (feels good, though).
- and, the all-important blue light illuminates!

Certainly a fair amount of digital circuitry is either bypassed, or else shut off entirely, which might have some form of sonic benefit. I THINK I hear a slight improvement, in terms of openness and clarity. But maybe it is just the little blue light that is making me think I hear improvement! That said, my two-channel music listening is mostly done in Pure Direct mode. (I also have turned off my zone 2 amp, so that the little red "Zone 2" indicator doesn't stay lit when the display turns off!)

My receiver also offers "Straight" mode (effects off), which simply turns off the Yamaha sound field processing, but works for both 2-ch. and multi-channel sources, both digital and analog. (So, for digital sources, decoding is done for all of the source channels, but no extra sound field processing. Tone controls, and the YPAO or manual settings, still work (so does the bass management). This mode is more useful for people with small front speakers and subwoofers, who are using the receiver's bass management.)

 

[Krazykaj]

You will probably be hard pressed to hear differences between the Direct Stereo and Pure Direct, but it's all depending on your equiment (speakers, audio source, possible even cables).

nevertheless, as rschleicher said, there is a fair amount of circuitry that is cut out in both modes, just more in Pure Direct mode.

I attached a diagram from Yamaha that may help be more specific. If you read some of there documentation, especially with there newer recievers, they explain a bit more about exactly what they are tring to achieve. (i am assuming that the Pure Direct on the 2500 is the same as their Z9 model)

cheers
KJ

 

[Nomo]

Very nice. I haven't seen this before. Thanks.

 

[dohanc]

NomoSony: It is interesting that you say you can't hear the difference between PURE direct mode and 2 channel direct or straight (whatever they call it). I have read other reviews with users saying their is a dramatic difference between the two modes. My theory was that they were most likely using some DSP processing and/or some EQ that was getting turned off when PURE direct mode was turned off.

I was almost ready to get a Denon because not many users are complaining about a dramatic difference in Pure Direct Mode. But now I am trying to find out more information.

 

[Nomo]

Like I said if there is a difference, it ain't much.
It may be that my fronts are not being changed much by the YPAO. I seem to get the best results when I run the "front" EQ setting within YPAO. Basically that means the rest of the speakers are equalized to match as closely as possible with fronts. It's the suggested method when the fronts are of a better quality than the center and surrounds, which for a short time is my situation.
Anyway, the difference is not enough to make use of both direct and Pure direct. The biggest complaint I've heard from Yamaha users, or potential ones, is Pure direct's lack of sub-woofer output. Aparently the Denons have this in their version .
To me the sub being shut down is the way it should be, and preferable. My fronts have enough bass capabilty on their own to do the job. Addition of a sub in most cases would be too much. If I desire extra bass there is always the 2 channel stereo mode which includes the subwoofer. Or for that matter: 7 channel stereo or Neo 6. There are a ton of choices in the Yamahas both DSP or otherwise. Most of which I've only played with out of curiosity. Some seem a bit redundant that's really what I was getting at.
I use Pure direct for 90% of my 2 channel music listening.

 

[Yohansen]

I'm confused with these two features. My guess is that they are exactly the same. The RX-V2400 states that in "Direct Stereo" mode, all processing is shut off and the analog signal is passes directly to the amplifiers. This sounds exactly the same as the Yamaha RX-V2500's "Pure Direct" mode.

Am I incorrect?

I have the RXV485, and it has a direct mode. When I activated didn’t sound so good. I play with 2channel and I heard the DSP setting. I tried it and it has good results...also, my Yamaha has Enhancement of the sound. That sounds good too. I don’t know though which is the best option for my Polk Audio RTI-A7.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have the RXV485, and it has a direct mode. When I activated didn’t sound so good. I play with 2channel and I heard the DSP setting. I tried it and it has good results...also, my Yamaha has Enhancement of the sound. That sounds good too. I don’t know though which is the best option for my Polk Audio RTI-A7.

The best option is exactly the one that sounds best to your own ears.