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

@soix

This is not my main vinyl listening setup. In the past year I purchased a brand new system top to bottom. The TV got kicked out of its space. So I am putting a home theater in the basement for the TV. I totally agree with you that the separate integrated with pass through would be the real way to go. Ironically, I have the perfect one for the job. But it is in my main vinyl system and isn't going anywhere.

I had my old TT/Phono pre. So I thought that I would put it downstairs with the home theater rather than having it sit around and gather dust. I don't have the space for a second turntable in my vinyl listening room, or I would use as a second turntable. So I don't expect much from the home theater amp. But it would be nice not to have to send it through needless, pointless, digital conversion, which can only serve to degrade the signal further. Maybe someday I will have the cash to do it properly, as you have stated. Which is the only sensible solution. But in the meantime.....

Got it.  Frustrating that it seems so difficult to get an answer to such a simple question and certainly doesn’t speak well of Integra’s customer support and hope you get an answer from somewhere eventually. 

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. 

@v-fi 

I totally understand what you are saying. This is a Home Theater processor. What can I expect? To be fair, I finally got an answer from Integra that it does actually bypass any digital conversion. This is far from a  "Hi-End" piece of equipment. My expectations need to be tempered by that. And if Integra is giving me the correct information. That is all that I can ask for. I don't expect the world. I just wanted to know if it was being needlessly converted. There are other Home Theater processors, that make a point of saying this. I just wanted to hear Integra say it also. But your point is well taken.

@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!