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

Only way to find out would be to listen to one. Or are you spec sheet jockey?

Totally useless spec like you post I guess. Love these keyboard engineers. Head on back to ASR.

Sad Gold Note only gave marketing BS as a description.  I would love to see an IEEE or AES paper on whatever they are doing to see if it really is innovative. The  bummer is it is within my price, but only direct sales and no audition/return policy I could find. Their published specs are not defined so even though they are not impressive, not knowing the parameters makes them meaningless.  At what power/frequency is .01% distortion?  Is it .0001% half a Watt lower?   Could be a great amp, could be not so.  Totally useless specs. 

 

 

 

Guess Google is new to you:

https://goldnoteusa.com/dealer-locator/

 

Gestalt Audio1637 11th Ave N  Nashville TN 37208USA

Phone615-838-7178Emailcolin@gestalt.audio

 

Brooks Berdan Ltd.110 West Olive Ave.Monrovia CA 91016USA

Phone(626) 359-9131Emailinfo@brooksberdanltd.com

NEW US DISTRIBUTPOR I BOUGHT FROM THEM.

Analog Matters1453 US 1 North Unit D-32Ormond Beach Fl 32174USA

Phone800 752 4018Emailanalogmatters1@gmail.com 

 

Yes, listening is the only way. That is about the only thing we agree on. 

Specs give you a starting point when you can't go to a local store and get at least a quick audition.  But when you ask a company about their product and they respond with BS, that does not give me a warm and fuzzy.  Customer support is something some of these companies need to understand. Heck, even IBM is nice to you before you signed a contract. 

To inform you Jeffery O'l boy with your snarky attitude, The above mentioned dealers do not have audition return policies. I don't live in Ca, Fl or Tn.  Now,  what part of me suggesting it could be great or poor as the specs ( rather poor) are useless did you not understand?

I am not on ASR as I DARED to suggest I could hear the difference between my DACs. That was too much for Amair.  As I understand the specs and how they were measured, I know when they are actually a hint or not. 

PS: I know a little more about Google than you think.  The guy who wrote Acumulo, the Java version of Big Table/H Base, used to work for me.   Just a hint. 

Hmm so you called them all? So cause a guy worked for you makes you an expert, okay. 

So you called them in Italy? Really. Funny they answered all my questions. Guess that is why I am enjoying these amplifiers and you are not. 

Not my fault you live in the boondocks and cant get an audition. Head on over to Best Buy. You can keep living in 1960 if you want.  If you were remotely interested you would have seen Safe and Sound that offer return privilege's:

Returns
Returns are accepted for products purchased within the last 30 days. You must call us to initiate a Return Authorization 800-820-6460.

  • You are responsible for return shipping costs.
  • Products MUST be in LIKE NEW Resalable condition.
  • You MUST have the ORIGINAL BOX and PACKAGING MATERIALS.
  • You MUST have all of the original accessories, manuals etc.
  • Your package should be INSURED for the FULL VALUE for your protection during return shipping.

Enjoy 1960 Mr Geek! 

Actually, as the Data Systems Architect, Program Manager, and Acquisition Manager, yes I was an expert in extreme scale databases when I retired. Six years later, I am probably an antique. That technology moves faster than SMSL can introduce DACs. 

If you think Gold Note answered your question, you have zero understanding about how an amplifier works no matter how many times you insult me. I do hope they are nice amplifiers, but I will never know. 

"Doubles the power when reducing impedance"   So what. Any good amp can. 

"Switching, but not class D".  OK,  they did not say what it is though.  

"Exactly like class A"   Nope.  Not at all.

"More efficient" Yea, so is class A/B, G, H and D. 

Again, I hope they are very nice. I hope they have some innovation to add, but their marketing BS you quoted does not give any hint and their published specs would not make it on the shelf at Best Buy with the boom-boxes. 

I  just ordered a Schiit Vidar. They have excellent customer service and their web site plainly explains the audition return policy. Their specifications include the test parameters.  For half the price. 

I intentionally live in the boondocks, if you call 1.2 million people in the area the boondocks.  Lots of wildlife in the woods behind me. My camera has snapped coyote, fox, bear, deer, possum, racoon, otter, skunk, owl, hawks, herons, and way too many copperheads. No obnoxious street lights, no kids drag racing up the street at night.  Spread out enough I can crank up my subs without bothering anyone. But only half an hour away from world class medical and a Super Walmart.  I vacationed to DC/Va/Pa recently and hit a few remaining high end stores up there. Kind of like Home Depot, they all have the same generic stuff.  I'll stay down in the Piedmont, thank you. Amazon makes it to my door in a day.