Hello,
Which do you guys use for 2 Channel (Stereo or Direct Stereo)?
I'm still doing a test on the Yamaha RXV1400 vs HK AVR235. I want to know which is better to use on a 2 channel.
Thanks.
Direct does exactly what the name implies. It transfers the signal without any processing done on it. Theoretically, this should be the cleanest sounding, but in practice it doesn't make a difference if all your DSPs are disabled. That being said, I run my Pioneer in Direct Stereo whenever I listen to music. I cannot stand the thought that something is interfering with or coloring my audio more than is necessary. Certainly my room and speakers color the audio, but practically, it is impossible to eliminate both of those completely in any audio system. I do not feel a need to bring in anything else that further degrades the signal, even if the difference will be negligible.
On my Onkyo 601 the difference is whether the sub is engaged or not. Direct is two channel only. Stereo makes the receiver move all frequencies 80hz and below to my sub.
I have M22s so a sub is a major help for most of the music I listen to. I always listen to stereo. Many folks on the board with M60s and M80s do as well.
Another thing to consider is the type of music you listen to. If it's rock/pop/folk you will want a sub. Classical and some jazz? Maybe not.
more folks will chime in (I hope).
james r
Ditto on the sub/no-sub thing. My Marantz doesn't really have any DSP modes, at least not in the "concert hall", "stadium", etc. sense, but it does keep the speaker distances engaged as well as level settings. Direct mode bypasses the sub, so that's just not very helpful with my M22s.
On some recordings I can tell a significant difference, and on others it's almost inaudible.
That's interesting. The direct stereo is much more "direct" on your receiver James_R. I have tried using a sub a few times with my M60s for 2-ch, and its function is retained in Direct Stereo. I kind of wish that it shut it down on my Pioneer (since for 2-ch I have no need for a sub) - oh well.
My Denon 3803 also retains the use of the Sub in Direct mode. I do prefer Direct mode when listing to stereo CD's and the such.
In reply to:
Axiom M80Ti(4) Denon 3803 AVR
Axiom VP150 Denon 2900 DVD/DVD-A/SACD
Axiom Qs8(4)
SVS PB2+
My goodness... How many Axiom speakers do you need? Do you use 2xM80 for fronts and 4x QX8 for surround and surround back? Do you use the other pair of M80 for a zone two application or do you switch them with the QS8s for multi-channel music?
On my Denon 2805 I usually use Direct Mode also, however, I hate that the display goes black after awhile, so if you want to see how loud you have it, you have to click the +/- volume buttons on your remote, or turn the main volume dial on the receiver to see the display again....my sub also works in display mode....
DJ Stunna,
I use (2) M80ti for front L and R and the (1) QS8 for R Rear (1) for L rear (and (2) for back. The other pair Of M80ti I use for (B) channel mostly for SACD & DVD-A listning. I have a Pair of M3ti that I use with My Cayin TA-30 Tube Amp for stereo in my computer room. I also ordered a pair of M22ti on the 13th just before they raised the price. So you might say I really like Axiom Products.
My Sherwood/Newcastle P-965 pre/pro has a nice feature called "Pure Direct". In this mode, there is no digital processing done to the signal (unless the DAC is used). The system can perform analog bass management to the signal with a set crossover of 80hz. All video signals are turned off as well. I can't say I hear a difference though...but I still use it.
I always use Pure Direct on my 3803 for CD listening.
Hey sirquack, don't your ears tell you how loud it is??
yeah you got me there....actually where I first noticed the problem is if I want to jump into the setup menu, it appears you have to adjust the volume first to get the screen to come back on, then you can go into setup...
On my Denon 3805 when in stereo the fronts are highpassed at 80Hz and the sub lowpassed at 80Hz. However, when in direct the fronts are not processed (full range) but you can still engage the sub - this would no longer be a flat response as now you have an overlap between the sub and mains.
I only use Direct / Pure Direct when listening at lower volumes or when the music doesn't need the sub. Generally I miss my 20Hz SVS bass too much to run without the sub for long.