Yamaha RX-A6 multichannel performance

[TLS Guy]

I'm thinking of a replacement for my Yamaha RX A2080. I'm having a hard time leaving the Yamaha line. My last 3 receivers have been Yamaha's. I am really leaning toward the Onkyo RZ70. I'm a little hesitant because I remember the HDMI issues from years back. But I really like the power output of the Onkyo and the Dirac room correction. YPAO leaves a lot to be desired. Good idea? Or stay in the Yamaha universe with a RX A6A. I'm not too crazy about the new style though.

If you need to replace it now, I would stick with Yamaha. Marantz and Denon have been in a frightful mess of late due to severe mismanagement under Sound United. Just in the last few days, Sound United has been purchased by Harmon a subsidiary of Samsung. Hopefully this will lead to a brighter future. The new Harmon leadership have made encouraging statements, but as we all know:- "Talk is Cheap!"

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm thinking of a replacement for my Yamaha RX A2080. I'm having a hard time leaving the Yamaha line. My last 3 receivers have been Yamaha's. I am really leaning toward the Onkyo RZ70.

This comes to mind:

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm thinking of a replacement for my Yamaha RX A2080. I'm having a hard time leaving the Yamaha line. My last 3 receivers have been Yamaha's. I am really leaning toward the Onkyo RZ70. I'm a little hesitant because I remember the HDMI issues from years back. But I really like the power output of the Onkyo and the Dirac room correction. YPAO leaves a lot to be desired. Good idea? Or stay in the Yamaha universe with a RX A6A. I'm not too crazy about the new style though.

First, why are you wanting to replace the excellent Yamaha 2080? Just upgrade fever?

2nd, how often do you buy/upgrade your AVR? Is it worth saving a few dollars for something that you plan on keeping for 5YR+ ?

I love my RX-A3080. The only thing I hate about it is that (like most brands) you can’t have subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode like for Denon/Marantz. I need Pure Direct for KARAOKE.

3rd, I don’t want to hear a word out of anybody’s mouth about my Karaoke.

 

[m. zillch]

The only thing I hate about it is that (like most brands) you can’t have subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode like for Denon/Marantz.

Well it does have a subwoofer out for incoming signals containing a ".1" ch.; I assume you mean you don't like that there's no sub out for incoming 2.0 content in Pure Direct mode, yes?

I didn't know some Denon/Marantz differ in this way. That must be new. Of course there's no law regarding what "Pure Direct" even means, so technically any company can do whatever they want but could you give an example of one I could do more research on to learn about it? Thanks.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well it does have a subwoofer out for incoming signals containing a ".1" ch.; I assume you mean you don't like that there's no sub out for incoming 2.0 content in Pure Direct mode, yes?

I didn't know some Denon/Marantz differ in this way. That must be new. Of course there's no law regarding what "Pure Direct" even means, so technically any company can do whatever they want but could you give an example of one I could do more research on to learn about it? Thanks.

Yes, I mean for 2.0 sources (like for my analog karaoke source).

Denon/Marantz has always offered this for as long as I can remember.

When I use any other modes for karaoke (stereo, straight), this still requires processing and this causes the annoying sound delays when I sing on the microphone. But when I use Pure Direct, there is absolutely no sound delays. This happens with all AVR’s I’ve used.

But for Denon, I can set the Subwoofer mode to LFE + Main (some call this double bass) and this allows subwoofer output from 2.0 sources even in PD mode. No sound delays on my karaoke mics.

Yamaha has “Double Bass”, but PD shuts this off.

 

[Trebdp83]

I'm going to say a word about your karaoke. But, I'll let you pick the word. Oh, and I think you meant LFE + Main.

 

[m. zillch]

But for Denon, I can set the Subwoofer mode to THX + Main (some call this double bass) and this allows subwoofer output from 2.0 sources even in PD mode.

Which Denon unit are you using when you do this?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Which Denon unit are you using when you do this?

Denon AVR-5308 and AVR-3000-series about 8 - 9 years ago.

 

[lovinthehd]

Which Denon unit are you using when you do this?

I have a coupla Denons that can use sub in 2ch direct mode (and can be set for either LFE or LFE+Main modes). My 4700 and 4520 and 3808 all offer this.

 

[m. zillch]

I have a coupla Denons that can use sub in 2ch direct mode (and can be set for either LFE or LFE+Main modes). My 4700 and 4520 and 3808 all offer this.

Even in LFE mode? Wild.

Does it have a secondary bass management system to set sub level, delay, crossover but all done in the analog domain?
Does it say "Screw your request to be 'pure', I'm digitizing the analog input signal anyways, like it or not, to derive the manufactured sub out channel and filter the mains"?
I'm not getting this. Help me out.

 

[budjo]

First, why are you wanting to replace the excellent Yamaha 2080? Just upgrade fever?

2nd, how often do you buy/upgrade your AVR? Is it worth saving a few dollars for something that you plan on keeping for 5YR+ ?

I love my RX-A3080. The only thing I hate about it is that (like most brands) you can’t have subwoofer output in Pure Direct mode like for Denon/Marantz. I need Pure Direct for KARAOKE.

3rd, I don’t want to hear a word out of anybody’s mouth about my Karaoke.

The reason for the replacement is the receiver developed random popping every so often. I sent it in twice but never got it resolved. It's not awful but enough for me to move on. This is the first Yamaha that has given me a problem. I will probably buy the RZ70 from Crutchfield so if it turns out I don't like it I can send it back for a Yamaha.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does it say "Screw your request to be 'pure'….

The fact that I am not getting any kind of sound delays (unlike all the other modes like Stereo mode) tells me that it is pure.

All the other modes cause a sound delay which tells me the signal is being post-processed or went through DAC/DAC conversions for bass management.

IOW, if Pure Direct or Direct mode causes the exact same sound delay effects that Stereo mode causes, then it would prove that Pure Direct was not really pure and had the same analog-to-digital and then digital-to-analog conversions.

So Pure Direct is pure even with the subwoofer management.

PC ANALOG signal goes to External Sound Mixer the same time the Microphone ANALOG signal goes to Sound Mixer. The combined ANALOG signal then goes to the AVR ANALOG Input. In PD mode, the ANALOG signal goes to the ANALOG amp and speaker. All other modes require ADC for bass management and then DAC, which causes the sound delay.

 

[lovinthehd]

Even in LFE mode? Wild.

Does it have a secondary bass management system to set sub level, delay, crossover but all done in the analog domain?
Does it say "Screw your request to be 'pure', I'm digitizing the analog input signal anyways, like it or not, to derive the manufactured sub out channel and filter the mains"?
I'm not getting this. Help me out.

You can choose LFE or LFE+Main mode, set crossover and L/R speaker delays, levels. I assume its done digitally. You don't have to use it if you want to be "purer"

 

[m. zillch]

As I mentioned previously, "Pure Direct" can mean whatever the maker wants and they can theoretically even vary it by model, input selected, time of day, or anything they want really. But should anyone be interested, I emailed the related company Marantz about this once and here was their response I reposted in another forum:
#11,933 Jul 15, 2025

cdinoz007 said:

" I have an x1500h - does anyone know if when using Pure Direct mode - does that actually bypass the internal DAC on the avr?"

Me:
"This is a controversial topic because the manuals usually don't spell out this picky detail explicitly. For the related companies Denon and Marantz generally they indeed bypass all digital circuits for the analog stereo inputs when placed in Pure Direct (PD) mode*, however you'd need to write them and ask about your specific model if you need to be dead certain.

To settle a disagreement about one of their units, I once did just that, here:

Hello Mike, You recently raised a question with our customer care team. Below is a summary and our response. Reference Number: 231203-000205 Subject: Marantz Customer Care - In Pure Direct mode, does the AV pass a purly analog signal from input to output? Response By Email (Christopher) (12/04/2023 10:57 AM) Ref #231203-000205 Marantz AV10 Hello Mike, Thank you for contacting Marantz Cutomer Care. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you. Yes, you are correct. The AV 10 has an analog bypass mode that can be activated by using the Pure Direct mode. This mode will bypass all digital processing and output the analog signal from the analog stereo inputs to the analog stereo outputs. This mode will also turn off the display and the video circuitry to minimize any possible interference with the audio quality. You can use this mode when you want to enjoy the purest sound from your analog sources. We hope this helps! Best Regards, Christopher . . . We hope all of your questions have been answered and any issues have been resolved. A brief survey will be emailed to you asking how we did today. This feedback helps us continuously improve the customer experience, so we would love to hear from you. Thanks for contacting Marantz Customer Care and have a great day! . . . Hi, According to a recent forum post by the electrical engineer Gene DellaSala, who reviewed the AV 10 for his company Audioholics using an Audio Precision audio analyzer: "The AV 10 absolutely has an analog bypass. Most Denon and Marantz top shelf stuff does and has for years." I assume this purely analog signal path from analog stereo inputs to analog stereo outputs can be accomplished by using the unit in "Pure Direct" mode, correct? [I already understand the limited feature set when used in Pure Direct mode, by the way, but my question is related how to temporarily bypass all digitization, if ever needed.] Thanks and have a great day! -Mike Z.

*Also keep in mind almost all processing such as room correction, EQ, tone controls, speaker distance settings (delay), surround modes, and subwoofer output signal generation is usually done digitally, so none of that stuff would function for the 2ch. analog INs when used in PD mode."