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I used to hate the 'Source Direct' button but now...

I love 'Source Direct' mode. I use it constantly, as in always, all the time.
 
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simm said:
If I understand correctly using source direct does away with small speaker settings and runs them full range and pulls the sub out of the mix. Less of an impact if you have large speakers and more if you are running bookshelf speakers. Any internal processing done by your receiver is also removed. Sometimes I like listening this way and other times not. Guess it all depends on my mood.
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2 channel pre amps employ this too, its all about that concept of "shortest path is the straightest line" I had a Anthem tube pre with this feature.
 
Last night after my previous post, I moved my speakers again. This time I got out the measuring tape and measured between the centres of each tweeter(78") because before, I used the heel to toe of my feet and I was further away than I thought. I could only bring the speakers forward a little and pointed them directly at me. and it's even better! I'm still amazed at how much of a difference speaker placement can make. When my wife came home, I said to her " you've just got to hear this now" and had her sit in my position. I was still buzzing at bed time and she had no hint of insomnia as my voice faded into the background.:D
I am saving for a new amp and CD player and after that, a subwoofer. Will the source direct affect a sub? Would I have to switch source direct back off? I thought at first while I was still reluctant to use SD, that I could just turn bass and treble right down as far as it could go because that still leaves a little of those controls but I went ahead and switched SD on after all. The Yamaha A S501 amp that I have my eye on has a subwoofer connection which my Denon does not. Would that sub connection be disabled too?
 
simm said:
If I understand correctly using source direct does away with small speaker settings and runs them full range and pulls the sub out of the mix.
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Ah, there it is. I was thinking purely 2 channel analogue. Thanks for pointing that out.
 
Source direct is supposed to turn of and/or defeat any type of processing, tone controls, DSP modes or otherwise.
 
Eywadude said:
Yes, toeing in and out your speakers can have positive (and negative) effects, but it is also dependent on what speakers you have, your room size and shape, ceiling height, whether you have hardwood or carpeting, was well as any other soft or hard reflecting surfaces in your listening room (hard cabinets and soft sofas for instance). Don't fret however, as every room is different, and it all boils down to adapting to your room's specific parameters and dimensions. :) You can also try things like tilting your speakers (front and back, start with very shallow angles), as well as actually raising your speakers beyond what most would widely consider to be an "optimal" height (generally most would say the tweeter should always be at ear level at your listening position). Just hear me out: I know this is a highly unorthodox approach, but I have heard speakers absolutely come alive by raising them above ear level to heights that most would consider "too high" or generally above their "optimal" listening height. By doing so it can also add more definition to the bottom-end, and lead to a more cohesive sound with more air around instruments, etc. Some may say, "Well, just try listening to your speakers at a lower seating position, and you will get the same effect", but they are overlooking the actual physics of what raising your speakers does. There is also a dynamic that exists of how certain frequencies bounce off the floor, and how it affects and colors the sound. After all, the floor makes up a part of your room's sound as well. You can sit lower, and it will change the sound, however the actual sound/floor dynamic is unchanged because the speaker is still at the same height in relation to the floor. The only way to change this dynamic is to raise the speakers up beyond their current height. This won't be beneficial in every scenario, but it can work more often than many people would ever give it credit for. Try anywhere in the 6-18 inch (15-45 cm) range. Try incremental heights to see what each height does for the sound. Try it out to see if it works for you, and if it doesn't, it won't cost you a thing to experiment. :) I know this is more difficult to do with a pair of floorstanders, and that raising floorstanding speakers to those heights would probably be seen as highly unorthodox for 99.9% of most people reading this, but there is also a height dynamic that exists in regards to your sound as well, and that dynamic can only be changed by raising your speakers. Bookshelf speakers aren't the only speakers that can benefit from adjusting height. Just try it out. Like I said, it won't cost you anything. ;)

Cheers. :)
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I have had my speakers in the upper corners of my listening spaces for decades. Not practical for everybody. But IMO, it is the only way to go for all the reasons stated above.
 
^Awesome! Yeah, it isn't practical or feasible for everyone for sure (including the dreaded WAF factor), but it has the potential to do wonders for the sound of your system. Like I said, it is also dependent on your room dimensions and other variables, but it never hurts to try. And it's FREE! :D Cool to hear that you experimented with your setup like that. Cheers. :)
 
My C-80 has a direct button and I keep it on all the time. Makes me think that I should just get a passive switching/attenuation device rather than the big knobfest that the Yamaha pre is. It does look neat at least.
My living room system stays flat all the time as well. Every once in a while I'll go up one notch on the bass if there's a particular bass line that I want to stand out a little bit but that's it for that system as well.
 
Tone controls are neede to adjust record if it is not ideal (which is common). Room issues should be treated physically with absorbers and diffusers.
 
Tone controls are a lot less important when your speakers and gear are set up optimally.
 
Ok things have taken an unexpected turn for the better with me since I last posted. I have been trying to get enough saved to get a new amp and CD player and I was thinking about Yamaha . My wife said to me "why don't you see if you can get some dosh from your pension early?" I phoned the company I used to work for and long story shortened, I am now thinking about a brand that was beyond my financial reach : Naim. :banana: I notice they don't have tone controls (like I'll miss them now :D). Anyway I'm now looking at the Naim XS2 amp, CD5si and the Stageline.
I have a question however. Could I still connect my tape deck to it and if so where would it be connected to? Sorry the picture isn't very sharp. Perhaps someone familiar with this amp can advise.
There is a 'sub out' so I may also be able to get a Monitor Audio sub.
One thing I do like about the CD player is the CD tray has to be closed manually. I have shaky hands and I'm fed up trapping a cd in the tray because it closes before I'm ready. The way the tray swings out is kinda cool though.
 

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The source direct idea is so much in line with my philosophy that I use a passive line selector and attenuator. There are no tone controls of any sort.

I want to hear the recording - not a manipulation of the recording.
 
1970's Fan said:
Ok things have taken an unexpected turn for the better with me since I last posted. I have been trying to get enough saved to get a new amp and CD player and I was thinking about Yamaha . My wife said to me "why don't you see if you can get some dosh from your pension early?" I phoned the company I used to work for and long story shortened, I am now thinking about a brand that was beyond my financial reach : Naim. :banana: I notice they don't have tone controls (like I'll miss them now :D). Anyway I'm now looking at the Naim XS2 amp, CD5si and the Stageline.
I have a question however. Could I still connect my tape deck to it and if so where would it be connected to? Sorry the picture isn't very sharp. Perhaps someone familiar with this amp can advise.
There is a 'sub out' so I may also be able to get a Monitor Audio sub.
One thing I do like about the CD player is the CD tray has to be closed manually. I have shaky hands and I'm fed up trapping a cd in the tray because it closes before I'm ready. The way the tray swings out is kinda cool though.
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That Naim doesn't seem to have a tape loop. You can connect the output from your tape deck but there is no tape out for recording.
 
It seems that the two way 5 pin DIN for the HDD can be used. I have ordered a 5 pin DIN TO 4 RCA male plugs so I'm ready.
 
JoeESP9 said:
Source direct is supposed to turn of and/or defeat any type of processing, tone controls, DSP modes or otherwise.
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Thank you. That sounds like exactly what I read before somewhere. You just get the music 'straight' off the LP or CD without anything in the middle. LP/CD to amp to speakers.

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I'm not sure exactly what 'Source Direct' does on Sansui amplifiers, the specifics, but I know it eliminates all un-necessary circuitry and you get it straight, what's on the LP or CD is what you get, with minimum circuitry. And with Sansui amps... it make a substantial immediate 'noticeable' difference in sound quality, and I love Sansui's circuitry. It's very noticeable for the better - immediately, just push the button and it sounds 'clean'. :thmbsp:

Source Direct... I use it all the time. Amp goes on... Source Direct goes on. It's wonderful. :yes: Loudness works with Source Direct too. Which is good at low volume.

Is it THAT good??? Yeah..., it is!! (AU-X901 'Vintage') :D

My thinking is: you just get the music straight from the LP or CD. But sometimes, on some LPs, maybe some CDs... can't remember, you do need tone controls. If so, use them. Personal choice.

:music:
 
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I got up last night to check if source direct really was on because as I've already said, I hated it "taking away the bass." This morning I listened to The Ray Brown Trio "Soular Energy" album and there was no shortage of bass and absolutely no boomy bass. I'm lovin' it:D

I notice that the Yamaha A-S3000 @£3999, has tone controls. I thought amps at that price didn't have them.
 
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