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It seems that every day the performance of low to moderate priced dacs is improving. Has my NAD M51 DAC been surpassed yet by something at 1/3 its price yet? I say YET because....
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I'm listening to a budget DAC now. It is not bad. I'm sure your M51 sounds better. It's a win-win for everyone.
I am really thinking (changing the topic here) that digital can be good for the masses IF the masses really cared. It doesn't appear so, though. I think I can assemble a good sounding AND low cost system, but it certainly is not easy. Gives us a reason for being who we are: AUDIOPHILES ;-)
It's a really good DAC, not sure your point?
It is still relevant, and does great.
I have one in my HT setup. Good stuff!
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As audiophiles, we take what's obsolete, make it beautiful, and keep it forever.
Hey! I have a blog now: http://mancave-stereo.blogspot.com or "like" us at https://www.facebook.com/mancave.stereo
You will need to define what you mean by improved performance. From a technical point of view the fundamentals of the M51 are pretty much state of the art - check out the stereophile review.
Subjective evaluations are highly system dependent - the M51 has the distinct advantage of avoiding an intermediate analogue stage so the reproduction chain is shorter than a conventional DAC/Preamp/Poweramp chain.
I have one and it does not make its presence felt (in a distracting way).
If you specifically required DoP or direct DSD conversion then that is another story, but I wouldn't go chasing rainbows assuming the new DAC on the block is the next best thing!
If you are wondering if the new NAD DAC usurps the M51, then from a technical point of view, unlikely as it is fundamentally going to be the same animal inside...but they will probably make costs savings by moving away from the LME49990 and polystyrene caps that are in mine..which will result in a different sound.
I haven't seen a tear-down yet to really make a definitive comment on that though!
Regards Anthony
"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats
Do yourself a huge favor & don't get swayed by the "Flavor of the Month DAC Club"
You've pretty much answered your own question by the choice of words you used to ask
your question. This says to me that if you absolutely feel the need to "upgrade" something,
your DAC more than likely is'nt it.
You could drive yourself crazy wondering if this or that less expensive component will work better than what you have. That thinking in this hobby is counterproductive if you want to
maintain your sanity.
Very well said.
You misunderstand my motive. Given that today's budget gear will meet or beat the Big Stuff from yesteryear, and that nothing depreciates faster than yesterday's news,there must come a time when it's time to move along.
NAD might have done it themselves with the C510.
PeterZ
No DSD? What junk!!!! Humph!!!
Actually a great looking piece...I predict the analog preamp is on its way out....
The M51 is hardly yesterday's news.
Don't buy what the press and the forums are selling....
& I would suggest that may not be true , at least not as quickly as you might think
We all have different approaches to how & when it is time to change components . I'm not comfortable letting the components I'm using go until Im certain that it's replacement
is in fact the better piece of equipment.
Hopefully your approach ends up being "2 steps forward & 1 step back". I'm not built that
way, maybe someone who has had success doing things that way will chime in !
Good luck !
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