2. amps-preamps
  3. 186312-183932

Digital input amp

I see a few coming on market.  Previous threads were quite old.

They take a USB or other input. No DAC on the front end. Just the DSP engine to do volume, eq, etc, then whatever conversion to PCM to feed the class D output. So the only "DAC" is the output stage.   This makes sense as it further reduces the functions in the chain.  I have not seen objective testing or any reliable subjective testing. The ones I have seen are Infineon processer based. No idea if the output filtering or feedback implementation is up to the Purify quality.   I guess the next innovation is the GaNFET output.  One has a DAC to feed a sub out. Easy as any old $5 DAC will wo there. 

I was browsing and came across the Sajab A30a. ( quite inexpensive)  Peachtree has the old Gan-1 but coax PCM only.  That would be fine if it managed buffering and clocks internally. Unfortunately my all-in-one only has USB out. 

I suspect there is a lot to be learned here but it makes sense to me for the future. 

tvrgeek
Post removed 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
6,017 posts
 

tvrgeek

... Gad how some here want to be so superior ...

I think users here are just trying to be accurate. You choose to take it personally that your claim has been questioned:

They take a USB or other input. No DAC on the front end. Just the DSP engine to do volume, eq, etc, then whatever conversion to PCM to feed the class D output. So the only "DAC" is the output stage.

jeffrey125
282 posts
 

Gad my post was deleted, gads I questioned the OP credibility, Gads. 

yyzsantabarbara
4,945 posts
 

I tried streaming to the GAN1 using fibre via a Lumin X1 and also a Sonore OpticalRendu. I controlled all of this via ROON. Not simple for someone new to digital but I have a lot of experience with streaming and software.

The GAN1 (modded) with the uber quality streaming I used was amazing.

Look at what Mark Levinson is doing with his new company, Daniel Hertz. This is likely the beginning of some great gear with much less components. Now that is not good for anyone in audio except the consumer.

The STOCK GAN1 is just very good. The mods make it jaw dropping good (as long as the 200-watts are adequate).

 

tvrgeek OP
299 posts
 

Very interested in the mods. I visited a showroom ( dealer for both Peachtree and Bluesound) and their conclusion was neither were quite high end yet and are not carrying those specific products.  They did suggest some of the esoteric amps using the GaNFets were very good. But for mainstream non-exoteric those of us who have to spend real money, the better of the A/B are still winners.  They suggested there are much better streamers than the Blue Node.  That leaves me with a lot to research.  Bits may be bits, but what you do with them matters.  Things seem to move fast though.   I'll look up the D-H stuff. 

This technology makes sense to me from the engineering side. Probably really bad for DAC and preamp makers. If the market is there, we need someone to do an ASIC for the entire front end and then high end will be affordable to the masses.  Low volume, I guess FPLAs.  Hear that, Masimo?  You have the wherewithal to pull it off!  The smartest engineering  Mom and Pops are not going to get the volume needed even if they come up with the breakthrough ideas. Even Bruno has not got there yet. 

From the PA-10 WEB, I could not tell what technology they were using. Some sort of hybrid maybe.  

 I see one here just can't stop insulting people. Sigh.  Nobody can learn anything that way. 

 

 

 

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