Can anyone verify that the Integra DRX 5.4 "Direct Mode" is indeed "Direct?


Can anyone verify that the Integra DRX 5.4 "Direct Mode" will pass analog audio without A/D to D/A conversion. I have ask Integra support. But all they did was read the manual. I have read the manual. And I quote from the manual:

 Direct

This listening mode can be selected for all input signals. Processing that affects

sound quality is shut down, "and sound closer" to the original is reproduced. The

sound is reproduced with the sound field based on the number of channels

in the input signal. For example, a 2 ch signal is output only from the front

speakers.

Note that the sound adjustment is not available when this mode is selected.

 

I have added the quotation and underlining to the "and sounds closer" portion, because this is what concerns me.

Why would it sound closer? Why wouldn't it sound the same? Aside from all of the plethora of reasons that could make that possible. What I am asking is this. Is a purely analog signal being converted to digital and then back to analog? I have a relatively decent turntable/tube phono pre that I would like to not have put through an A/D-D/A conversion for unnecessary design reasons. I'm sure that you can understand the reason why.

As I stated. I have asked Integra support. I can tell that they are not sure themselves. They deal with 3 different brands. I do not have much confidence of the information that I am being given.

I have read somewhere on this forum. Although I cannot find where. That all inputs are processed digitally. Does anyone know if this is indeed the case? Any information on this would be highly appreciated. Thank you, for any information that you may be able to provide.

 

flash56

Showing 2 responses by v-fi

I think your quoted section is out of context. The focus should be on "sound closer to the original is reproduced". As in, sound (which is) closer to the original. Or put another way, the sound that is being reproduced is closer to the original sound, as  it was originally recorded in the studio. 

Aside from that I don't think it is completely clear if they are deactivating every single bit of processing, and acting as a sort of "loop" to just spit out the exact same signal that came in. But I'd still say "direct mode" gets closer to that goal than any other method of playback with the device. That's really the best you can gett. 

@flash56 Well that's good, I'm glad they got back to you with the confirmation. I agree that you should be aware of what is happening in this mode. Even if it doesn't lead to a night and day change in sound, it's still good to know you are doing the best you can as far as avoiding unnecessary processing. 

And don't sell yourself short. Integra is not world class but it is still a somewhat premium brand. And the 5.4 is in the upper middle of the lineup, not too far down from their top models. So you are doing pretty good!