Review of Marantz 7701 pre/pro. 2.1 mode not useable.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have the AV8801, Outlaw 7500, Revel Salons, Studio, and Voice.
I like the AV8801 but after trying Audyssey many times I still prefer Pure direct using the analog inputs from the BDP-105.

Just going from Pure Direct to Direct the is a change in the sound, it is less defined and the soundstage collapses.
There are members over there with some fine equipment and yet they find no change in the sound changing these settings.
They also are huge Audyssey fans. Perhaps there is a correlation.

I have also found that turning off everything I can find also helps: Video Mode: Game, Video processing: off, HDMI pass-thoughff, Lip-sync: Disabled.

On AVS, these observation go over like a turd in the punch-bowl.

- Rich

I hate Audyssey and any EQ/ DSP I've used. But I disagree 100% with the change in sound going from Pure Direct to Direct. It's basically the same thing, except PD shuts down the video circuit as well. I use Stereo 2.2 with my Salon2 + dual Funk 18.0 subs because I think it sounds better than PD (w/o dual Funk subs).

If PD allows using Subs, I would use PD.

But I agree that bypassing most post-processing is a good thing.

 

[RichB]

I hate Audyssey and any EQ/ DSP I've used. But I disagree 100% with the change in sound going from Pure Direct to Direct. It's basically the same thing, except PD shuts down the video circuit as well. I use Stereo 2.2 with my Salon2 + dual Funk 18.0 subs because I think it sounds better than PD (w/o dual Funk subs).

If PD allows using Subs, I would use PD.

But I agree that bypassing most post-processing is a good thing.

I am don't use my sub for music.
I am also using the analog 7.1 in's.

I am pretty sure that Direct does not route sound to the subs.
Do you have the AV8801?

The manual does not indicate that it routes bass in direct.
If it does route the bass, then it does more than it says

These processors are pieced together with DSP' and video processing chips using their APIs
IMO, the vendor really does not know what it actually does. This is why the manuals are so vague


- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am don't use my sub for music.
I am also using the analog 7.1 in's.

I am pretty sure that Direct does not route sound to the subs.
Do you have the AV8801?

The manual does not indicate that it routes bass in direct.
If it does route the bass, then it does more than it says

These processors are pieced together with DSP' and video processing chips using their APIs
IMO, the vendor really does not know what it actually does. This is why the manuals are so vague


- Rich

I have the Denon AVP-A1HDCI.

Wow, I thought PD shuts off subs, but I just compared PD vs Direct vs Stereo, setting my Sub to LFE + Main & 80Hz XO. And it actually outputs subs just like Stereo 2.2. Yes!

I guess on the AVP-A1, Pure Direct bypasses the tone control circuits and video circuits, but actually still allows sub outputs.

So from now on, I will be using Pure Direct 2.2 on my AVP-A1HD.

My Denon 3312 does NOT allow this. PD/D shuts off any sub outputs so I thought my AVP-A1 would do the same. But I was wrong.

 

[RichB]

I have the Denon AVP-A1HDCI.

Wow, I thought PD shuts off subs, but I just compared PD vs Direct vs Stereo, setting my Sub to LFE + Main & 80Hz XO. And it actually outputs subs just like Stereo 2.2. Yes!

I guess on the AVP-A1, Pure Direct bypasses the tone control circuits and video circuits, but actually still allows sub outputs.

So from now on, I will be using Pure Direct 2.2 on my AVP-A1HD.

My Denon 3312 does NOT allow this. PD/D shuts off any sub outputs so I thought my AVP-A1 would do the same. But I was wrong.

I just did some testing to see if I knew what I was talking about.
And I almost did

Sure enough, Pure Direct sends bass to the subs when you LFE + Main using the HDMI, COAX, and XLR inputs.
It does not using the 7.1 analog in. It is easy to get confused because you cannot tell what input you have selected.
At least, I do

I do find improved sound stage using Pure Direct, so it turns something else off too.
IMO, It is complete non-sense that turning off the LCD display improves sound.
However, the turning off the Video circuitry does alter the sound (Including setting the Video Mode: Game).

I do not need any video processing since the output of the 8801 goes to a Lumagen Mini which has a 125 point calibration for my display.

These are subtle but I have used the my IPAD and my web interface to change it on the fly.
If you enter the Output setting while no in Pure Direct mode, you can change to Pure Direct mode and the web controls work.
You cannot enter when you are already in PD mode.
Again, I think this is a marketing feature.

Of course, there should be no change in the audio as a result of the video.
There should be no special modes to disable them to improve the sound.
If it does, it means that the product is not as well designed as it should be.
However, IMO there is. So I turn it all off.

With everything else off, just changing the Video mode from Auto to Game resulting is 1 watt reduction in the power use.
That is not a big deal, I just mention it because it proves that something less is occurring in the Video processing chip.

Perhaps they put that copper plate in the wrong place

- Rich

 

[MidnightSensi2]

I like Pure Direct as well. I listen to music in the home theater in that mode. Audyssey I have mixed emotions about. I like some things, other things I don't. I don't see it help get rid of ringing... it just lowers the amplitude which is only part of the problem. But, I guess that's what bass traps and other acoustic treatments are for. The simplest (yet ugliest) option of treatment seems to still be the best... I don't watch much TV anymore, but I loved the 'side features' of Audyssey then... like dynamic volume and such. Movies, no (although I do see applications for it), but, for watching TV was great.

I like the technology, but it's not a one fits all solution like some make it out to be. But, Audyssey as a company is pretty honest about what it can and can't do. And I respect that.

 

[TLS Guy]

I like Pure Direct as well. I listen to music in the home theater in that mode. Audyssey I have mixed emotions about. I like some things, other things I don't. I don't see it help get rid of ringing... it just lowers the amplitude which is only part of the problem. But, I guess that's what bass traps and other acoustic treatments are for. The simplest (yet ugliest) option of treatment seems to still be the best... I don't watch much TV anymore, but I loved the 'side features' of Audyssey then... like dynamic volume and such. Movies, no (although I do see applications for it), but, for watching TV was great.

I like the technology, but it's not a one fits all solution like some make it out to be. But, Audyssey as a company is pretty honest about what it can and can't do. And I respect that.

Ringing is resonance with retained energy and you can not equalize that out, whatever way you try. That has to be put right at the speaker.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I do find improved sound stage using Pure Direct, so it turns something else off too.

These are subtle but I have used the my IPAD and my web interface to change it on the fly.

The magnitude of improvements may be equivocal, but it is solid in theory for sure, and I am pleased that I am able to retain subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode.

It is kind of weird how the LCD screen is black in PD mode, but I'll get used to it.

I will be using Pure Direct mode for both music and movies from now on.

Yes, I also love the iPad Denon Remote app; I use it everyday. Love it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have the Denon AVP-A1HDCI.

Wow, I thought PD shuts off subs, but I just compared PD vs Direct vs Stereo, setting my Sub to LFE + Main & 80Hz XO. And it actually outputs subs just like Stereo 2.2. Yes!

I guess on the AVP-A1, Pure Direct bypasses the tone control circuits and video circuits, but actually still allows sub outputs.

So from now on, I will be using Pure Direct 2.2 on my AVP-A1HD.

My Denon 3312 does NOT allow this. PD/D shuts off any sub outputs so I thought my AVP-A1 would do the same. But I was wrong.

Actually I just tried on my Denon 3312 and PD mode + bass output also works. I guess the Speaker has to be set Small, Sub LFE+ Main, XO 80Hz or something.

 

[panteragstk]

Actually I just tried on my Denon 3312 and PD mode + bass output also works. I guess the Speaker has to be set Small, Sub LFE+ Main, XO 80Hz or something.

I'm going to have to try that on my 809. Direct shuts off the subs, so if PD doesn't I'm going to be pretty happy about that.

 

[RichB]

Actually I just tried on my Denon 3312 and PD mode + bass output also works. I guess the Speaker has to be set Small, Sub LFE+ Main, XO 80Hz or something.

On the Marantz, LFE+Main works with speakers set to large.
If it doesn't work with large it is a bit weird.

- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

On the Marantz, LFE+Main works with speakers set to large.
If it doesn't work with large it is a bit weird.

- Rich

I'm too lazy to test the Large Speaker config now. Everything works great now in Pure Direct. No changes need.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm going to have to try that on my 809. Direct shuts off the subs, so if PD doesn't I'm going to be pretty happy about that.

If Direct shuts off Subs, I am 100% sure Pure Direct will also shut off Subs.

Another negative I will use against Onkyo from now on.