There are a few companies now, us included, that offer fully digital amplification.
This means that the amplifier inputs a digital signal and handles all signal processing and amplification in the digital domain. The digital signal is then demodulated to drive a speaker directly. So there is no D/A conversion in the signal path, no A/D conversion, and no separate preamplifier.
To be more specific on how this technology works...
Your source outputs a PCM signal, which is a square wave (pulse code modulation) either via SPDIF, I2S, Toslink, etc. This PCM square wave is input into the amplifier. This goes through a digital receiver which reclocks the data (or not) and sends it off as an I2S signal to a PWM modulator. This PWM modulator takes the PCM square wave and converts it to a PWM square wave. This PWM square wave is then amplified, generally by an H-bridge power stage output similar to high-end Class D amplifiers. That PWM signal then goes through a sophisticated feedback and anti-jither circuit to eliminate distortion and a simple output filter. The output filter takes the PWM square wave and demodulates it to drive a speaker directly. In this way there is no D/A conversion, no A/D conversion, and no separate DAC preamp or amplifier.
More info on this process on our website. Also more info in these great articles:
http://www.academia.edu/1029853/A_Distortion-free_PWM_Coder_for_All-digital_Audio_Amplifiers
http://asp.eurasipjournals.com/content/pdf/1687-6180-2007-094386.pdf
How does this compare to standard Class D amplifiers technology?
A Class D amplifier, or many so-called Power DACs, have an analog input. A Class D amplifier takes an analog input, converts it to a triangle wave, and then inputs it into a modulator to convert it to a pulse width modulation. This is much higher distortion and adds an additional D/A conversion before the amp input. A power DAC generally is just a DAC and then Class A/B or Class D amplifier in a single chassis. It is not a fully digital amplifier, though they try to play it off as such. Does not sound anywhere near as good, though there's nothing wrong with integrating the devices and simplifying the system.
Does that answer your question? Or at least give you a foundation from which you can do a little more reading?
Best,
Ryan
Core Audio Technology
