How does the "DAC-less" Acoustas amplifier work

[Razorhelm]

In a video with Impulse audio

The founder mentions the product has no DAC.

At about the 18min mark.

It seems the digital audio signal is used to drive the class d amp so the whole system becomes the DAC, instead of the DAC being a discrete chip.

But I don't understand this at all

They were kind enough to produce the data sheet for the amplifier dac chip system:

https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tas5828m.pdf?ts=1694770797489&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Fproduct%252FTAS5828M

I wondered if someone here has the knowledge to explain this to a lay person like me?

What exactly is going on, how is it different to a traditional dac amplifier system, what are the advantages and disadvantages to this type of device?

 

[Razorhelm]

I bought one purely based on curiosity and subjectively it sounds great.

And their claims of no hiss are true in my system
(Kef coaxial surrounds with the crossover bypassed so the drivers are directly connected to the outputs)

 

[voodooless]

The founder mentions the product has no DAC.

They lied:

 

[Razorhelm]

Well that's that mystery solved! Lol

 

[unpluggged]

Well that's that mystery solved! Lol

Yes, but while this one does indeed use a traditional analog amp stage, there are FDAs around that convert to analog only in the amp's final output stage, e.g. the SMSL AD18 which uses the TAS5508C PWM modulator that receives PCM signal and the TAS5342A PWM power amp stage.

 

[TurtlePaul]

I like how the TI chips are so plug-and-play and idiot proof that half the brands don’t even have a clue what is happening inside them. Just layout a PCB with the demonstration implementation in the PDF and you are good to go.

 

[voodooless]

They lied:
View attachment 466963

Well, I watched most of the video, and still think this. I guess he can get a free pass because he’s the least smart guy in his team?

As for the product, it’s essentially very interesting and seems well thought out: a 6 channel DSP amp with additional pre-outs, plenty of DSP power, well put together software stack. Price isn’t too bad, but the 50W per channel seems a bit limiting. If one can bridge some channels, that would be cool. Analog inputs would be nice as well, but are easy enough to add. PSU is 250W only, so that’s a total of 125W per channel.

 

[Razorhelm]

The software side has been great, crossovers set up in minutes. Haven't had long to play with it and yet still got an active speaker setup working so pretty cool!

 

[Tim Link]

This looks like the kind of product I've been looking for. Amp, pre-amp, and DSP all in one box!

 

[Salt]

What's the benefit about, let's say, a Hypex plateamp?