Denon AVR1912 - 2 ch direct sub not working

Hmmm...are you sure that the sub is not active in Direct mode? It should be. Maybe it's just playing really low, remember you don't get the benefits of Dynamic EQ while in Direct mode. When you choose LFE+Main you are getting "double bass".

Personally, I use Stereo for 2 channel listening so I can keep the benefits of bass management, Audyssey and Dynamic EQ.

You should maybe post your question in the Official Denon XX12 thread, you may get a better answer. Or, just PM Batpig...he's got ALL the answers when it comes to Denon.

I believe this is normal operation for Denon AVRs. From Batpig's awesome webpage:

"2CH DIRECT/STEREO: This menu allows you to have a different speaker configuration for listening to 2-channel music using the "Direct", "Stereo", and "Pure Direct" surround modes. If you leave it set at "Basic", the AVR will just use whatever configuration settings you have chosen in the SPEAKER SETUP menu (in other words you will get the exact same bass management in STEREO mode as you do in multichannel modes). If you set it on "Custom", you can tweak the settings specifically for two-channel music, including having a different crossover frequency, speaker distance, etc.

HELPFUL HINT #1: If you are trying to listen to two-channel music in a 2.1 configuration (two speakers + subwoofer), and you can't get any sound to come out of the subwoofer, try setting it to "LFE+MAIN" here in the "2Ch Direct/Stereo" menu. Sometimes this "forces" the sub to be active with 2-channel music when it won't work otherwise.

HELPFUL HINT #2: When in "Direct" or "Pure Direct" mode, there is NO BASS MANAGEMENT. That means your front speakers will be sent a full-range signal even if they are set to "small". Whatever bass your subwoofer produces will be "double bass", duplicating the output of your front speakers. If your front speakers cannot handle bass, do not use the Direct/Pure mode for 2-channel music, just stick to "Stereo" mode."

And Alan is correct. All Audyssey processing is disabled when using Direct / Pure Direct modes.

-Mike

your remote has speaker level button (mine is opposite the "menu"). press this button to choose to engage the sub. you can also set the level of the front channel. thanks.