No insult intended but let's look at this logically.
While you say so, you don't really want the "purist" approach, even though you think/say you do.
I was considering spending more for the Oppo 95 specifically for the upgraded analog stereo capability.
Please note the bolded word. Stereo. That means two channels. Two channels ONLY. There is no discrete ".1" channel in stereo. That means no subwoofer.
Creating a subwoofer signal where there was none to begin with implies kerfutzing woth the signal, wether in an analog or digital sense. And, to a purist, that is an anathema.
Now, by using a "pure direct" mode, your purist intentions are met, albiet sans subwoofer. The only remaining question would be the volume control: Is that handled in the analog or digital path. You need to check with your receiver manufacturer for the defiitive answer to this. And, while you're at it, you might want to ask about how it's handled in the MC inputs as well.
If you do get an answer to this mystery from Yamaha, please share it with us.
Like others have said, if "analog purity" is such an issue, perhaps a separate analog stereo system is in order. It works for me.
