No it definitely works on the analogue inputs on Marantz receivers at least. I use an external DAC with the analogue inputs and have tested the bass management working on two different Marantz receivers.
Now that you mentioned Marantz, I did ask them similar questions before a couple years ago, below are the Q&A with Marantz support:
Communication History
Marantz response:
Staff Account NJ Customer Support via Email02/10/2020 05:53 PM
Hi
Looking at the end of the Volume IC trace, I do see there's a Tone Control (crossover) which would explain the low frequency output to the sub in Direct Mode.
Thanks,
Marantz NA
My follow up question:
Customer via Web02/08/2020 02:38 PM
Thank you for your response. So if in direct/pure direct the signal bypasses the ADC/DAC and DSP, then how come even when direct or pure direct are selected, the speaker distance/delay and crossover settings seem to remain in effect?
Thanks again,
Marantz response:
Staff Account NJ Customer Support via Email02/05/2020 02:58 PM
Hello,
Looking at the Analog Audio Block in the 7705's service manual it appears that an analog input signal while in Direct or Pure Direct mode does bypass the DSP and there's no ADC / DAC at that point. The signal is sent to 2 independent switches, then to the Volume IC and finally to the HDAM module before it goes to the pre-out section.
To purchase any of our service manuals, please see the following link.
https://www.service-manual.net/?download=69229-marantz-av7705-service-manual
Thanks,
Marantz NA
Customer via Web01/21/2020 05:50 PM
My question:
- If Direct and Pure Direct mode using analog inputs in fact allow the signal to bypass the Analog to digital converter and get routed directly to volume control and then output to the power amp section, then how come in those modes it is still possible to do some bass management such as selecting Main+LFE and setting crossovers, distance and delay? So does it mean if Main+LFE is selected, direct and pure direct mode would send a copy of the signal to the ADC, while allowing the other copy to bypass it?
Thanks again