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Experiences with NAD M51 DAC

I am considering upgrading from my PS Audio DLIII. I currently use it with a M2Tech Hiface USB/SPDIF converter, fed from MAC mini serving redbook CDs as AIFF, via Pure Music.

The NAD and the W4S DAC2 are under consideration. May also upgrade the USB/SPDIF converter. Much has been posted concerning the W4S.

Has anyone have experience with the NAD, with or W/O USB/SPDIF conversion they would share? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
mesch
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Not enough superlatives having owned many other top DACs.
meiwan
399 posts
 
I have owned both. The NAD offers considerably more detail at the expense of texture. Both benefit substantially from a good convertor. I use the Stello U3.

A solid step up from both is the Metrum Hex, which I now own.
loftarasa
171 posts
 
Good to hear you made the right choice for your system, that's all that matters. And when your kids go to college, there are always the active SCM50/100s!
foster_9
1,638 posts
 

It is beatable by stuff slightly more expensive like the Chord Qute HD

The NAD M51 is actually the more expensive DAC. The Chord QuteHD is actually $200 cheaper than the NAD, at least here in the US.
kclone's avatar
kclone
679 posts
 
The NAD M51 is very good for the price. However, I have found 2 others around that price range that I liked better. One is Mytek, which sounds good, but is not user friendly to me. The other is the Bryston BDA-2, has all the detail of the NAD, but more air, warmth, and expansive stage. Very musical.
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