The only analog inputs that are guaranteed not to be digitized are the multichannel (7.1) analog inputs.The only analog input that are guaranteed not to be digitized are the analog inputs.
The only analog inputs that are guaranteed not to be digitized are the multichannel (7.1) analog inputs.The only analog input that are guaranteed not to be digitized are the analog inputs.
The only analog inputs that are guaranteed not to be digitized are the multichannel (7.1) analog inputs.
Perhaps. I have had some conflicting comments and test results regarding the XLRs.Pretty sure the other analog inputs are not digitized (based on the schematics) too if you engage pure direct, not sure about direct.
The only analog inputs that are guaranteed not to be digitized are the multichannel (7.1) analog inputs.
Is seems to be a requirement among audiophiles that digital anything, room correction, class-D amplification, etc. is bad. I miss the old days when technology advances were welcomed instead of abhorred, denigrated, and shunned. Now it feels like the only good advance is one that recreates old technology in a new way (or not).
Perhaps. I have had some conflicting comments and test results regarding the XLRs.
Pretty sure the other analog inputs are not digitized (based on the schematics) too if you engage pure direct, not sure about direct.
I think you have to look at the available functions and which are available by input for clues.
All Channel Stereo, double-bass, bass management (in many cases), etc. are not available for the 7.1 analog inputs but are available for other analog inputs.
- Rich
That's exactly why I said it was most likely the case only if pure direct is selected. In the older Denon, such as my AVR-3805 and the 4308 too I think, you can also select "analog". By the way, I just try direct, it looks like it goes straight too because all audio functions are lost except volume, only when analog inputs are used obviously.
I suppose the reticence comes from the difference that is observable in some AVR/HT processors between "Pure/Direct" (and similar named functions) and Stereo (presumably with additional circuitry enabled). I have had many AVR/Processors where switching between Pure/Direct and Stereo (all settings flat) the alters the sound. No DBT (sorry). Try it sometime
Here are the specifications for the XMC-1 analog Reference Stereo and analog with DSP's engaged:
-THD: <0.0005% @ 1 kHz.
-THD: < 0.002% (20 Hz to 20 kHz).
- IMD: < 0.004% @ 1 kHz.
-S/N ratio: > 123 dB (A weighted).
-Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 80 kHz (+0 / -0.1 dB).
-Crosstalk: <100 dB.
Analog Inputs to Analog Outputs via Digital Signal Path
(modes that include processing or bass management):
-THD: <0.0007% @ 1 kHz.
-THD: < 0.0007% (20 Hz to 20 kHz).
-IMD: < 0.005% @ 1 kHz.
-S/N ratio: > 106 dB (A weighted).
The distortion numbers are very low in both cases but the S/N increases by 17dB (A weighted).
I can do a SBT on this but there are observations that are so obvious, even SBT is not required.
There may be products that are transparent with DSP's engaged but I suspect many are not.
The choice then becomes a cost/benefit which still favors processing in most environments.
Also included in the easily recognizable is engaging Dirac with the curtain set to 25hz (meaning little or no alteration).
None of this is conclusive, but I do believe that folks can and should try these products at home and make up their own mind.
- Rich
I have, and am well aware that it alters the sound. For better or worse depends... Not sure I could hear the difference between 123 and 106 dB in my system but I tend to look at unweighted noise and the spectral content more so than A-weighted ratings. Many times I suspect the biggest difference is what room correction does (or does not do) to the sound. People used to their room and the sound it creates may not like any change.
Whatever - Don
Different strokes... I like Dirac Live but tweaked the curve via ears and measurements to something I liked. It will "always" alter the sound when engaged so I expected that; I never imagined it would not since even with a flat curve it is altering things to make it flat as well as tweaking amplitude and phase. Sounds like you are a good example of an audiophile who does not like any processing and that's a personal preference.
I had to dig up my XMC-1 manual. It looks like "Reference Stereo" is purely analog and "Direct" goes through ADCs and processing to handle bass management. "Stereo" adds tone controls and such, thus additional processing. So, different signal paths, different results. Whenever you stick processing in there is the potential for changing something, even if it is just levels. When you add bass management you add crossovers (now implemented digitally) and there is probably gain-ranging going through the processor.
I have no idea what the Marantz does.
As a owner of a Marantz AV8805, I admit after reading the DAC performance data and these posts I am disappointed with my purchase, and feel a bit misled by Marantz.
Are the 2 channel XLR inputs processed by the internal DAC? If so how can the internal DAC be bi-passed for an external DAC on 2 channel music, yet still keeping the 8805 for home theater functionality.
Edit: just realize the OP was talking about multi-channel analog inputs of the Marantz, I didn't look at that part.
I don't want to belabor this point, but there are other settings, such as double-bass, available in pure direct mode. I doubt there is additional analog circuitry to accomplish this. Therefore, Pure Direct *may* perform an A/D conversion based on other settings.Use "Direct" mode to bypass ADC/DAC processing. Use "Pure direct mode" not only to avoid ADC/DAC but to get less interference from digital electronics as display, video switcher and processor will be disabled. In these 2 modes your AV8805 will act as an analog preamp as signal passes only through volume control.
http://manuals.marantz.com/AV8805/NA/EN/DRDZSYyrtgycpw.php
View attachment 28931
Agreed, that does seem to be the case.On these processors, the 7.1 analog inputs are the only ones guaranteed to remain analog, there is not A/D hardware for them.
BTW, @Blumlein 88 measured the 7701 to be exactly the same in the Direct mode and Pure Direct mode???Therefore, Pure Direct *may* perform an A/D conversion based on other settings.