This is an auction listing.
Please be kind and do not bid unless committed to buy
and to pay within 24 hours of auction end.
As I fly out on the morning of Tuesday 18th, late payment will make
you miss out on the change to buy and me miss out on the chance to sell to anyone else.
Please be kind, and only bid if you are committed and have funds available.
NAD Masters M51 Direct Digital to Analog Converter
Arguably the best DAC ever made in audiophile history.
Very, very reluctant sale but I will be working overseas for a very long time,
and it deserves to play music.
(Works from all voltages 110 - 250V, 50/60Hz)
Uses stabdard "PC style" kettle plug and I will provide a suitable
power cable. Overseas buyers, I will provide you with a local plug.
The Masters M51 Direct Digital digital-to-analog converter (Originally sold for $1999 USD) is based on the same CSR Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier chip used in the Masters M2 Direct Digital integrated amplifier.
It follows the philosophy of using upscale to 35-bit and very precise PCM to PWM module and comparison of the output with reference PWM signal with corrections in the digital domain.
This Direct Digital Feedback correction loop results in incredible sound quality and precision. Other DACs may have analogue gauges and look "audiophile". This one gives you the highest quality of sound that can be made from your digital source, without exception.
A discrete design that is not based on typical industry standard "DAC" chips, the NAD has its own distinct sound free of the hard, little, edgy qualities that make so many of us dislike digital sources. With this DAC, your digital source can give you the same smoothness and fidelity as the analogue signal it was originally recorded from, free of attributes from the decoding process (subject, of course, to encoding of equal quality, but som fantastic digital files now exist across many genres of music).
Since volume control and all other operations exist in the 35 bit domain, there is no truncation of data or loss of dynamic range, whatsoever.
Rather than the pulse-width modulated (PWM) bitstream switching 50V rails, as in the M2, the CSR chip is coupled to an output stage that delivers 4.75V RMS to the balanced outputs and 2.375V to the single-ended. All incoming PCM data is converted to a 7-bit/844kHz PWM signal, with mathematical operations carried out to 35-bit precision. The PCM-to-PWM conversion and the width of the pulses are controlled by a master clock running at 108MHz. The analog output is compared with a reference PWM signal, and any corrections are made in the digital domain. (This correction loop is why it is called a Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier.)
As is proper for a preamp, the output is neutral, but you can use your favourite analogue power amplifier and speakers to create the tone and warmth that would prefer.
I'll be sorry to see this go, but would rather it play beautiful music for you than sit in my storage unit for several years.
This was one of the best audiophile purchasing decisions of my life. I'm sure you will feel the same as its next custodian...
Free Shipping Australia wide
Fair shipping prices throughout the world
Any questions, please feel free to ask.