Direct Digital Amplifiers


I am very excited about the concept of direct digital amplifiers, such as the NAD M2 and the new NuForce DDA-100. There are others coming out too. I would think these amps are in their infancy. I would like to know if anyone has had direct experience with them and what are your impressions. I would like to see them accessible to digital equalization. Are there any models that incorporate this functionality?
peter_s
I use a couple different implementations of direct digital and enjoy them immensely. A highly-modified Tact S2150 digital amplifier pair with the Tact 2.2X preamp into YG speakers and Lyngdorf subs allows me to digitally equalize a flatter room response and time align, while crossing over to the subs at a fast slope. Sounds great to my ears. Really opens everything up.

Another system in the family room uses a NAD M2 into Peak Consult speakers. No EQ, but very simple system, with just a music server feeding the NAD. The NAD is very good, very pure, clean and dynamic. Both amps are really power DACs that have the voltage and processing power to drive speakers directly: a great idea whose time has finally arrived. I've previously owned monos by Rowland, Pass, Bel Canto, etc. and while all have strengths and weaknesses, these are really good options, providing superb value compared to a separate DAC, preamp and amp.

Lyngdorf and DEQX also make great direct digital products that can do digital EQ. Go hear one and see if it floats your boat....
Seems as though only the TacT/Lyngdorf direct digital amps are capable of high current output. Are there any others?
The tact s2150 amplifier is all digital with built in dac. Just plug in your transport via aes into the amp and you're ready to go.
Bombaywalla, Class D amp doesn't convert anything to digital. It converts analog voltage to analog duty cycle of square wave and back to analog voltage thru filtering....
you are right, Kijanki. I was trying to be simplistic in the interest of explaining the concept.
OTOH, Kijanki, a 2-level signal which is going from logic0 to logic1 could be considered a (very simple) digital (or binary) signal. Such a signal is both analog & digital. It has infinite resolution like an analog signal & at the same time it is discrete since it transitions from logic0<-->logic1 with no other state in between.
So, I do not think that I confused anything here. Both your comments & mine are correct.
But, yes, it's not a tradition digital signal like the one that is quantized with finite # of bits.
Kijanki, I know of a least one amplifier brand (tube) that only has one stage of gain. That's pretty simple- far more simple than any class D amp.