ONKYO TX-NR905

I just got off the phone with Onkyo. They told me you can not hear the sub while listening with Pure Audio and Direct mode. If you have satellites speakers, you need to listen in Stereo mode ONLY for 2 channel music listening. I have to check out the Stereo mode today to see if it will sound any better than Pure Audio and Direct mode.

Regarding the DTS-ES, they told me it must be in a 7.1 channel setup to get full DTS-ES sounds. (That sucks!!)

So far, the only 2 complaints I have with Onkyo products is that they make you spend more money to full fill their products. Now I will have to buy 2 more surround speakers for a 7.1 setup so I can listen to DTS-ES. I will also have buy 2 full range speakers so I can listen to Pure Audio and Direct mode!

I was setting up the receiver last night and I came by the Bi-Amp & BTL Capable. Since my speakers are satellites, do I need to adjust the setting to either Bi-Amp & BTL? My satellite speakers my blow up since it is not full range speakers. My speakers are rated 4 ohm and recommended power rating at 50-150W for each channel. But before I set the receiver to either Bi-Amp & BTL, I wanted to get some advice before I blow up all my satellite speakers!! ha ha ha

Do not set the AVR to Bi-amp unless you have Bi-wire capable speakers and use 2 sets of speaker cables per speaker - one for tweeters and one for woofer - AND no jumpers between the bi-wire speaker terminals. Otherwise, you will damage the AVR and possibly your speakers. My advice is to ignore this option.

Also, if I remember correctly, the Bi-amp option uses the power sections of the two rears in the 7.1 setup, so you are limited to 5.1 if you use Bi-amp to your front speakers. It sounds like you plan to do 7.1, so this is yet another reason to ignore the Bi-amp option.

The Onkyo AVR's have excellent power supplies and should drive your 4 ohm load speakers with no problem, so just leave the BTL/Bi-amp settings at the factory presets.

The purpose of 'pure' and 'direct' modes is to pass analog (un-digitized and unprocessed) sound to two full range front speakers, especially when using a turntable through the phono inputs. The way this (and most every) AVR is designed, it has to convert the analog signal to digital to implement the LFE (subwoofer) channel and that is usually not desireable when using analog sources.

Another side-effect of using 'pure' and 'direct' modes is that the Audyssey room-correction is bypassed. Once you run Audyssey, I think you will prefer the sound using the 'Stereo' mode so that the LFE (subwoofer) channel and the Audyssey room-correction are engaged. Possible exceptions (in addition to using a turntable as a source) are acoustic or chamber music that is recorded well enough to benefit from staying in the analog domain in the AVR. Even then, the D/A converters and the analog section in your disc player (and very good analog interconnects) will have to be better than the Onkyo's or there will be no benefit above using the 'Stereo' mode fed by a good coaxial digital cable from your CDP.

As you become more familiar with the Onkyo, I think you will find that it is designed very intelligently for the purpose it is intended for - to be a full-featured all-in-one component at a relatively low price point. If you desire more audiophile features and cutting-edge sonics, then consider hi-end HT separates such as Anthem, B&K, Marantz, etc.

I looked at the back of my front L/R speakers and can not do a bi-amp. So, BTL is not an option.

Regarding separates, I bought some separates last year and the hum or buzz sounds coming out of my speakers was quite annoying. I had people told me to buy a cheater plug to take out the hum sounds but that did not work. I tried numerous methods to get rid of the hum sound but nothing worked. I spent more time trying to get rid of the hum sounds than enjoying my new separates. I tried brands like Parasound, ADCOM and Classe. They made the hum sounds from my speakers.

I now switched back to receivers because it's dead quiet and not more hassle of trying to get rid of the hum or buzz sounds. Separates also takes up my audio rack space.

The hard facts are that nothing is perfect, so enjoy your Onkyo and be happy!