XenonMan....Thanks for your input! (pun INTENDED!

I believe I did not ask my question about "Pure Direct Mode" and bypassing the DSP on the 976 as well as I could have.
I understand the analog vs digital connection difference.

The following is from my Yamaha HTR-5860 manual. I'm hoping this will shed some light on what I am asking. Please forgive me if I am just being dense about this.

"Listening to high fidelity stereo sound(PURE DIRECT)PURE DIRECT allows you to bypass this unit's decodersand DSP processors, and turn off the video circuitry and front panel display to enjoy pure high fidelity sound from analog and PCM sources.Press PURE DIRECT (or press AMP to select the AMP mode, then press PURE DIRECT on the remote control) to activate pure direct.The indicator around the front panel button lights up"

Thx,

Tom