Marantz Pure Direct is Direct playback with the receiver’s main display and analog video circuit switched off. Marantz says this reduces noise sources that may affect sound quality; it does not establish that every listener will hear a difference. The exact restrictions and controls depend on your receiver model.
How Pure Direct differs from Direct
Marantz describes Direct as playing source audio without AV/AVR processing. Pure Direct adds the shutdown of the main-unit display and analog video circuit. Marantz’s stated reason for the added shutdown is to suppress noise sources that may affect sound quality.
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| Feature | Direct | Pure Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Audio path | Marantz describes it as source audio without AV/AVR processing. | Direct playback, with the additional circuit and display shutdown. |
| Display and analog video circuit | The cited Marantz comparison does not say these are switched off. | Switched off, according to Marantz. On the NR1711, the display goes dark after about five seconds. |
| Sound adjustments and processing | Listed processing features and adjustments are unavailable; consult the model manual for its exact list. | Listed processing features and adjustments are unavailable; consult the model manual for its exact list. |
| Video behavior | Not established by the cited support comparison. | The NR1711 manual says video output is limited to HDMI signals played in Pure Direct. This restriction should not be assumed for every model. |
Marantz Support describes Direct as allowing “the exact source audio from the source device without any processing from the AV/AVR.” Pure Direct adds the display and analog-video shutdown described in the NR1711 owner manual. See Marantz’s Difference between Pure Direct and Direct Modes for its mode comparison.
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Which controls may become unavailable?
Direct and Pure Direct can disable sound adjustments and processing that are available in other listening modes. Depending on the model, this can include tone controls, room correction, dynamic-volume features, or other listed processing. The modes are not necessarily identical across Marantz receivers, so the owner manual’s restrictions for your exact model take precedence.
#1 Best Overall
- Most musical sound: Tuned by the Marantz Sound Master to exacting standards, the NR1510 delivers the rich, warm character that has defined Marantz since 1953
- Slimline design: At half the height of a traditional AV receiver, the NR1510 brings legendary Marantz performance to spaces where full-size components simply cannot go
- Powerful five-channel amplifier: A high-current discrete amplifier delivers 50 watts per channel across all five channels—the foundation of precise, nuanced sound
- High-resolution surround sound: Full support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio means every soundtrack is reproduced with fidelity and depth
- Versatile connectivity: Six HDMI inputs plus analog, digital, and phono inputs make the NR1510 a natural fit for virtually any home setup
- If you rely on room correction or tone adjustments, check whether your receiver disables them in the mode you plan to use.
- If you use dynamic-volume processing or another sound feature, verify its availability in the model’s manual rather than assuming it remains active.
- If you need video at the same time, check the manual’s Pure Direct video rules. The NR1711’s HDMI-only behavior is a model-specific example, not a universal Marantz rule.
When should you try Pure Direct?
Try it when you want playback without the receiver’s listed sound adjustments and want to compare that presentation with your usual mode. It can suit a listening session where you do not need the display, analog video circuit, or processing options that Pure Direct disables. Switch back if you prefer the result with room correction, tone controls, or other processing enabled.
Marantz says shutting down the display and analog video circuit suppresses noise sources. The cited support material and manuals do not provide a comparative measurement or establish a universal audible improvement, so treat Pure Direct as an option to audition—not a guaranteed sound upgrade.
Rank #2
- 75 W of pure Marantz power: A fully discrete Class A/B amplifier with carefully selected components reproduces the warmth, detail, dynamics, and three-dimensional spaciousness of the original recording
- Serious home theater, simplified: Enjoy the power and immersiveness of a true home theater experience with only two speakers and up to two subwoofers, no surround sound required
- Sound Master tuned: Meticulously engineered and tuned by the Marantz Sound Master in Japan, STEREO 70s delivers The Most Musical Sound with the legendary artisanship and storied heritage that define Marantz
- Slim where it counts: At just 4.1 inches tall, STEREO 70s fits elegantly where full-size AV receivers can't, without compromising on power, connectivity, or craftsmanship
- More ways to listen: A phono input for your turntable, wired and Bluetooth headphone outputs, Zone 2 audio, and Speaker A+B connectivity make STEREO 70s the heart of your home
Does Pure Direct bypass digital-to-analog conversion?
Marantz’s support listing for “Analog Bypass in Direct and Pure Direct Modes,” marked updated January 28, 2025, says that Direct and Pure Direct bypass AD/DA conversions on AV/AVR products regardless of whether the inputs are RCA or XLR. That is Marantz’s stated scope and should not be generalized beyond those documented products or treated as an independent electrical measurement.
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How to select Direct or Pure Direct
The controls vary by model. In the NR1711 and SR5015 manuals, pressing the PURE button selects Direct or Pure Direct. The SR5015 manual also documents using the main unit’s PURE DIRECT button. Check your receiver’s manual for the correct control and sequence; these instructions are not universal.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Sound Master tuned: Hand-tuned at Marantz's legendary Shirakawa facility in Japan, CINEMA 60 delivers the warm, enveloping sound that defines The Most Musical Sound in any room
- Timeless design: Symmetrical, elegantly proportioned, and built with premium materials, CINEMA 60 is as refined in appearance as it is in performance
- Immersive audio: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X place you at the center of a three-dimensional sound experience that brings every scene to life
- Uncompromising power: With 7.2 channels and 100 W per channel, CINEMA 60 delivers the commanding dynamics and subtle nuance of a world-class home theater
- Effortless connectivity: Six HDMI inputs — three 8K-compatible — plus analog, digital, and phono connections welcome virtually any source into your entertainment universe
Rank #3
- Sound Master tuned: Hand-tuned in Shirakawa, Japan by Marantz's Sound Master, CINEMA 70s delivers the warm, enveloping sound that defines The Most Musical Sound in an elegantly slim profile
- Slimline design, timeless style: At just over four inches tall, CINEMA 70s fits beautifully into any space. Carefully considered elements include aluminum controls, diamond-cut knobs, and the iconic Marantz porthole
- Immersive audio: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X place you at the center of a three-dimensional sound experience that brings every scene to life
- Refined power: With 7.2 channels and 50 W per channel, CINEMA 70s delivers the characteristic Marantz warmth and dynamic presence in a remarkably compact form
- Effortless connectivity: Six HDMI inputs — three 8K-compatible — plus analog, digital, and phono connections welcome virtually any source into your entertainment universe
- Marantz NR1711 EU English owner manual
- Marantz SR5015 North America English owner manual
- Marantz AV8805A manual, Pure Direct playback
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