For information purpose:
In past Onkyo products, the "Pure Audio" mode button was sort of a touted feature, which shut ALL audio and video "processing", turned the the front panel display off, and transformed the receiver into an all-analog preamp.
Now, while "Pure Audio" still turns off the front panel display and cuts the video processing, any and all digital audio processing is still very much alive. In other words, Pure Audio now encompasses the digital.
We are now in fully digital times. "Pure" means 'Pure Digital Audio'.
And this happens with all Onkyo receivers now for at least the last three years.
I know Denon is a little different in this aspect. And Yamaha also has its 'Pure Direct' digital audio mode.
So, is Onkyo and Yamaha more digital than analog now? And is Denon still engaged in a Pure Direct analog audio mode, even when using a subwoofer in 2-channel Pure Direct Audio mode?
With Digital HDMI now, I'm not sure anymore which one or who would like to have a Pure Direct total analog bypass mode. It sure ain't the way it used to be...
What is a Pure Direct Audio analog bypass mode? Mmm... quite interesting indeed in the times we're living; with Automatic Room Correction done in the digital domain, digital HDMI audio/video connections, digital DSP audio modes, digital parametric equalization, digital bass management, digital tone controls, digital video settings, digital crossovers, Digital to Analog Convertors, Analog to Digital convertors,...
The true Analog Aficionados don't even look at Receivers, they look at straight 2-channel stereo systems, with sources that have their own volume control, plug directly into a tube power amp.
Not even a preamp in the middle. , if they can also get away without a power amp, they would just plug their CD player or turntable directly straight into their speakers.
Just a simple tought...