NAD Electronics just introduced the Masters Series M2 Direct Digital Amplifier, delivering in the culmination of a decade long research project a new level of amplifier performance. Very powerful, dynamic, efficient, and musically revealing, the M2 is a true digital amplifier that pushes the technological and performance limits of this exciting new category of specialty audio-video product.

The M2 can be thought of as a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that directly drives a loudspeaker, but with the same precision as the very best low-level DACs. The M2's technology is far more sophisticated than the Class D analog amplifiers that are often erroneously referred to as 'digital.' In fact, the M2 is the first digital amplifier that can match the best linear amplifiers for low noise and distortion, delivering better than Class A sound with Class D efficiency. At the same time, the M2 is capable of delivering startling power, 250 Watts to each of two channels at 4 or 8 Ohms continuous power, and 500 Watts IHF Dynamic power.

The M2 can also be said to represent a number of industry firsts. It is the first digital amplifier to fully exploit the resolution potential of HD audio and a fully digital signal path, the first audio amplifier to use high-speed digital error correction to reduce distortion while maintaining full HD resolution, the first digital amplifier to fully implement digital closed-loop processing (a.k.a. error correction); and the first digital amplifier to implement a new technology called Direct Digital Feedback developed by U.K.-based Diodes Zetex Semiconductors Ltd. during its collaboration with NAD on the M2 project.

The M2 uses a unique, custom implementation of Diodes Zetex's patented Direct
Digital Feedback Amplifier• (DDFA) architecture within a Xilinx field programmable gate array to provide a custom platform for blending DDFA technology with NAD's own innovations. Many inside NAD think the M2 is the best amp the company has ever made and competes favorably with the best traditional Class-AB high end amps currently on the market today.

NAD's M2 Direct Digital Amplifier will be available this Summer from authorized NAD dealers at a suggested price of $5,999 (U.S. MSRP).