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Downsize to Digital Integrated Amplifiers?

I am planning to shift to Computer Audio completely and am looking forward to downsize my existing setup (Pre+Power+CDP+Computer) without a downgrade in audio quality.

Digital Integrated Amplifiers like NAD M2, Esoteric AI-10 that accept direct digital inputs (analog inputs also) look promising to me. These amplifiers eliminate the necessity of a preamplifier, interconnect cables, and digital to analog conversion before the preamplifier; thus reducing the space occupied. In addition, digital amplifiers are more efficient, and do not heat up.

Do you think this is a move in the right direction? Digital Integrated Amplifiers seems to be the future to me. I would appreciate if you could add whatever your experiences / opinions are regarding this question.

http://esoteric.teac.com/amplifiers_&_preamps/ai-10

http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/M2-Direct-Digital-Amplifier

http://nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/M2-white-paper-EU-Web.pdf
bssk

Showing 2 responses by samujohn

samujohn's avatar
samujohn
291 posts
 
I have been here for the future before (Tubes to transistors, transistors to IC's
Stereo tapes to records, records to CD's, reflex speakers to air suspension etc.).
Gets cheaper, smaller and more convenient, but almost never better sounding.
samujohn's avatar
samujohn
291 posts
 
There are many switching amplifiers but few digital ones. The few actual digital amplifiers have some limitations. They tend to be load sensitive, much like tube amps. A measurement of voltage across my speaker outputs showed a huge drop in gain at higher frequencies, well within the range of hearing. As a result, some digital designers use analog feedback for control. Others provide user adjustable equalization. I am not a technical person so I am purposely vague. I simply mean to point out that the technology is not mature. It may not be a good value.
Now I own one of these amplifiers and I like it very much, but I suspect that it will be like my computer- a rapidly depreciating asset, unlike my analog stuff which holds it value pretty well.
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