Will digital amps make analog amps obsolete?


Is the writing on the wall for analog amps? Is it just a question of time?
Will analog amps go the way of those "quaint" vacuum tube amps :-)
cdc
In theory, yes! digital amp will be more and more common as they are cheaper to make. unign can be esaily shaped by programming rather than hardware. But it stops there. Our ears are not evoluted to take in the digital stream. This will never happen! A digital-to-analog(DAC) must be there to convert the digital stream into sound. This starts the problem.

If you are a serious audiophile, you should agree that in the same price class. Current DAC still chases behind analog LP. DAC output is small signal in terms of mA. When coming to amplification, you shall need a ADC of capable to convert vey steep power rise to meet dynamic needs. Still now, as far as I know, no such ADC device is available. Digital amplification is still a long way to go.
Yes, analog is dead. I'm sure the new digital amp will provide perfect sound forever. My MP3 downloads couldn't sound better!

Sinceeeeeeerely
I remain,
It won't make the analog amps obsolete but, they do make a huge difference. You won't need to necessarily use a DAC from your source as I am using the analog outs from my SACD player.

I have had 28 amplifiers in the past 12 years. There was always something that wasn't quite right. We are just flat-out amazed at the performance with the digital amp. Plus, the power output for the $ spent makes it an absolute bargain. I use a Spectron Musician II.

There will be room for both technologies. I just hope it doesn't get into a mud slinging contest like what happens with the tube vs. solid state or CD vs. vinyl. We all drive " pick up trucks" it just a matter of what brand.