It lists that the Pure Direct modes turn off Video on 1 HDMI and Audio on the other, or can turn both of them totally off. Thats the mode I leave it in while listening to CD's. Listening to music on this, I use the RCA outs to my Creek Destiny. I don't even turn the AVR on. Just wish it specifically stated that Pure Direct was to improve the output through the RCA's. Either way sounds great.