improving on stereo sound for music

[Danger Boy]

Originally Posted by romavictor

my denon 3808 does have a pure direct mode button, is that what you're talking about? Okay lets say I got my ipod that has CD quality WAV files on it docked to my wadia 170i transport that is connected to my denon via digital coax ok? and I have my denon pre-outs for my main speakers to a separate 2 channel amp. And let's say I'm using pure direct mode. Which of these components will determine the quality of the sound? the denon or the stereo amp?

the amp will just amplify the signal it gets from your receiver's pre outs, so the denon will determine the quality of the sound the most.. each component in a system will add it's own coloring to the music.

Do me a favor.. play a song from your Ipod, then if you have the same song on a CD, pop it into your Wadia transport and play it.. tell me which one has the better dynamics? Which one has the better soundstage? I'm betting your Wadia with a CD in it. Point being, try to keep things as pure as possible. I know, i know.. IPods are great for portability and ease of having a lot of music with you without having the burden of CD's these days. I get it.

and yes the pure direct mode is what I am talking about. It usually either turns off or bypasses the video portion of your receiver.. which can add unwanted noise (although minor) into your audio.