I believe in general the pure direct functions by passes any receivers Audessy, MACC, etc. so I am curious to hear how many people prefer to listen to the direct for 2.1(?) or pure direct for 2.0. Generally I like the direct as it uses the subwoofer (at least with my receiver) as appropriate but honestly I seem to like them both.

To my ears the pure direct make the M80's sound more warmer and more forward.

Speedy, I don't listen to 2-channel material using only front speakers when surrounds are available. As to the effect of using any type of "pure" or "direct" mode, the only effect that this can have is to slightly lower the noise floor of the amplifier. In most cases this is of no practical significance. The noise floor of typical receivers(including the three I have)is such that with the volume control at max and my ear a few inches from the speaker(no program playing, of course)only a faint hiss is heard on two of them(none on the third)which can't be heard either at normal volume settings or normal listening distances. So, in effect they're operating at a noise level below audibility already, and a further reduction is of no benefit. No other sound factors are affected.

I like 2 channel for music the best. For the pure direct mode on the receiver(where the sub is bypassed) I prefer using the analog outs on my Blu-ray player (you have to set the speakers to large in the Blu-ray player along with distances, trim levels and such). Blu-ray players with multi-channel analog outs are useful for receivers that do not have HDMI. There is a noticeable enough difference in the midrange clarity with the Blu-ray player doing the processing leads me to believe it uses a superior DAC to my receiver.

I can switch over between the two with a push of a button.

BlueJays, you bring up an interesting idea on the blue ray. My pioneer elite blurray has some sort of pqms or whaterver it is call for l/r. I should play around with it when listening to disc next time and comparing the pure direct mode.

I have two separate audio connections - the multi-channel analog connection and a coax audio cable (digital) between the BD and receiver. I can switch through the separate audio inputs instantaneously with the remote on the AVR when playing CD's.

I prefer to listen to Pure Direct for music when I'm in the sweetspot. I also prefer to set my fronts to large plus subwoofer especially for music with low bass.

So your receiver allows you to use your sub in pure direct?

My Denon does but not my Pioneer. Not sure why. If I want to listen to 2.1 on the Pioneer, I put it on direct and disable the MCACC.