Direct Mode for Denon-988....advice from any Denon owner please

[liquidice]

I have been messing with this receiver since I bought it 3 months ago. To put quite simply, based on what I read in the manual, it would appear that Direct Mode would be the next best thing to Pure Direct mode as far as audio quality. "Great!!!"...I thought, until I play music or movie with it set in Direct Mode, then realize there is very little bass. Why is that?...am I messing with something I really don't need to worry about? For the best sound, it is set on Standard, but the fact that Direct is still just sitting there unused makes me feel like I'm neglecting a child! Denon is ZERO help with this question. Called them numerous times, each time a different answer. This should apply to any Denon users, so I'd love to know what setting you use most, and for what your using it for. Thanks.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Are you using LPCM??

[Doc Ostrow]

My manual for the Denon AVR-988 says that in the Direct mode "signals bypass the tone adjustment circuitry for high quality sound". I wonder if it also bypasses the Audyssey calibration, which does some frequency equalization. I don't even try Direct mode, since my system sounds great with just the Audyssey calibration.

Whenever I read the Denon manual, I get the feeling that it was written in Japanese first and then translated.

[liquidice]

Originally Posted by Audiophile_At_Birth

Are you using LPCM??

yes, HDMI from PS3.

Originally Posted by Doc Ostrow

My manual for the Denon AVR-988 says that in the Direct mode "signals bypass the tone adjustment circuitry for high quality sound". I wonder if it also bypasses the Audyssey calibration, which does some frequency equalization. I don't even try Direct mode, since my system sounds great with just the Audyssey calibration.

I'm gonna have to look now, and I can't find this in the setup menu, but there is somewhere in calibration to copy room EQ to direct mode setting, and I've done that shortly after calibration. Maybe it is just that simple, cutting tone adjustment, therefore cutting the bass. I just figured Direct Mode would give me the best sound from the source.

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by Doc Ostrow

My manual for the Denon AVR-988 says that in the Direct mode "signals bypass the tone adjustment circuitry for high quality sound". I wonder if it also bypasses the Audyssey calibration, which does some frequency equalization. I don't even try Direct mode, since my system sounds great with just the Audyssey calibration.

Whenever I read the Denon manual, I get the feeling that it was written in Japanese first and then translated.

It was!!

My understanding is that the direct mode disables all equalization and other pro logic adjustments. It even turns off the display so that all the input power is designated to output sound. I don't use it because I really think using an equalizer and setting the dB output to the individual speakers based upon the distance to the listening system.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Ok...I know I have an Onkyo...but when using Direct on the PS3, it bypasses any processing on your reciever and just takes the signal from the PS3 and plays it without alteration

[Twitch9]

there are 2 direct modes, standard direct witch takes out all EQ and sets the speakers to large with no enhancements, then there is direct stereo mode, to use this setting you need to set it up in the menu,

go to the denon on screen menu
go to manual set up
then audio options
and select 2ch direct/stereo mode

in here you can set the mode up, by setting fronts to large, setting the SW mode and crossover and making sure you have the sub in the mix. this mode only effects the receiver when on direct stereo you can get this mode by hitting that button on the remote twice

Music sound really good when set up correctly


hope this helps

[liquidice]

this does help, and I'm turning to my receiver now to check out the settings. I unfortunately don't think my monitors could handle the "large" setting, but will give it a go anyways. Now, sell me your old speakers!

[Twitch9]

you don't have to set them to large but you can adjust the crossover and set the SW to yes. this will make the direct/stereo mode sound full