It is possible that a new paradigm is created whereby digital input feeds such as PCM (analog level represented by magnitude of digital code at 44KHz/nyquist) can be directly converted to PWM (average loudness represesented by a dgitally derived "on" interval...the duration of this interval has the analog loudness information)via computation. Similar to a single bit DAC (or DSD) with the filtering done right at the output via a inductor. This would be very DIRECT and maybe this is what people mean by direct digital.
However, if the analog input is cleaner, then it means that the digital siganl is converted by onboard DAC to analog. This intermediate signal would then need to derive the "fixed interval duration" via an analog to digital process (ADC) to set drive the class D output stage. For the case of analog inputs, the "extra" DA conversion needed by digital inputs would not be needed.
If you ask the above theorectical question to the designer, it should indirectly answer the question about how things are done.
However, if the analog input is cleaner, then it means that the digital siganl is converted by onboard DAC to analog. This intermediate signal would then need to derive the "fixed interval duration" via an analog to digital process (ADC) to set drive the class D output stage. For the case of analog inputs, the "extra" DA conversion needed by digital inputs would not be needed.
If you ask the above theorectical question to the designer, it should indirectly answer the question about how things are done.