|
Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Canada Post Number: 3647 Registered: Jun-07 | http://nadelectronics.com/products/digital-music/M51-Direct-Digital-DAC Wow, HDMI in and out, for 3d video pass through and 2.0 audio pass through as well as latest USB and can be used as a pre amp. AES in and Out. On paper, looks to be a winner. I wonder how it sounds. |
|
Gold Member Username: KbearCanada Post Number: 1164 Registered: Dec-06 | In my experience, DACs could not handle passing through of SACD and DVD-A signals, because those are not carried through the audio outs of a universal player (would be converted to PCM first). However, they do work via HDMI, but you always needed a receiver that could accept it in order to hear the native signal. So...it would appear that this DAC can accept these signals. First one I've ever seen that can. Would be the first DAC I'd seriously consider then I think, as I could ditch my CD player and use my Oppo for CDs, SACDs, and DVD-A's. That said, there is probably something to be said for the performance of a player that specializes in CD playback. So I will probably stick with what I've got, but I'd definitely like to try the M51 one day in my system. |
|
Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 4964 Registered: Feb-07 | I had the M51 on loan from my dealer for awhile. It was good - really good actually! I was tempted to keep it until I tried the USB input. It was distorted, and emitted loud clicks and pops. I thought it was going to shred my speakers actually. I had an email exchange with some NAD reps and they suggested that the USB input could be defective. I'm wondering if this could be a common problem with the unit. |
|
Gold Member Username: MagfanUSA Post Number: 2828 Registered: Oct-07 | I had badly distorted sound with my DACMagic+ until I corrected a cable fault at the DAC connection end. If you still can test it.....use the shortest USB cable you can manage as well as making sure everything is connected properly. I'm even using 30 feet of USB w/a repeater....... |
|
Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 4965 Registered: Feb-07 | When you say "cable fault" do you mean the cable was faulty? I tried different USB cables. Same issue. My dealer has offered to get me another one on loan whenever I'm ready. I posted a short write-up of it over here: http://www.audioreview.ca/default.aspx?pagename=review&reviewID=52 |
|
New member Username: DoubtPost Number: 6 Registered: Nov-12 | nad m51 + dynaudio focus 110a nad c 390dd + dynaudio dm 2/7 which combo is gonna sound better? |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 17678 Registered: May-04 | . Since the M51 has no amplifier it will not "sound" at all in that combination. |
|
New member Username: DoubtPost Number: 7 Registered: Nov-12 | But isn't dynaudio focus 110 a an active speaker? |
|
Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 17690 Registered: May-04 | . Sorry, my search didn't pick up the "A" version. Technically, active monitors have the edge over separate amp/speaker combos. The amp designer knows all about the speaker and the speaker designer knows all about the amp. Shorter signal paths and fewer cables should make for a superior system on paper. The problem with active speakers is they lack flexibility as you upgrade the system. With a separate amp, you upgrade the amp and upgrade the system performance. Additionally, should there be a problem with one component in the pair, the entire system is down. Otherwise, powered monitors are more lilely, IMO, to provide superior sound quality. You need to check out the NAD house sound, it may or may not be what you find attractive. The M51 has been written up as a very neutral sounding component. I haven't seen a review on the NAD amp but I would assume it follows NAD house sound traditions. If so, I wouldn't make the NAD amp my first choice with the Dynaudios - but others may disagree. "Sound better" is too vague to have a real answer at this point. What you like is not always what is best on paper. But what is better on paper is the M51 combo. . |
|
Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 4970 Registered: Feb-07 | FWIW, in the end, after a lengthy audition period and putting the M51 head to head with an Audiolab M-Dac, I decided I liked the M-Dac better. |