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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
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.
mesch OP
3,481 posts
 
Thanks everyone for their response.

Kclone, have you any experience with the BDA-1 vs. the BDA-2? I suspect there will be BDA-1s for sale used.

Meiwan, I will probably use a converter with whatever DAC I buy. As there are many available between $400 and $1600 I am not sure which to own, and the $$$ partition between converter and DAC.
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
Mesch, for those who discuss converters at computeraudiophile and elsewhere, many feel that the Audiophilleo2 is the best combination of value(price) and performance, and the Offramp is the best, but of course significantly more expensive.. I have the Audiophilleo2. I have not heard a system with an Offramp.
kclone's avatar
kclone
679 posts
 
Mesch, no I have not heard the BDA-1. Sorry.
bhobba's avatar
bhobba
303 posts
 
Hi Foster

In Australia its the other way around - the NAD is $1500 - the Chord $1700. If you can get the Chord cheaper and dont require the connectivity of the NAD it's what I would get. But if you want the connectivity nothing beats the NAD

Thanks
Bill
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