NAD has announced the imminent launch of its Masters Series M51

Direct Digital DAC.   The M51 includes many ‘firsts’ for the DAC product category: first to support HDMI, first to support USB Audio Class 2 with support for 192kHz, the first to use digital error correction, and the first

35 bit architecture to be found in a DAC.

The precision of the M51’s processing engine gives music an impressive vibrancy and transient accuracy and the conversion process from PCM to PWM completely eliminates any jitter present on the incoming signal. Because of the very high clock speed and mathematical precision of the M51’s reconstruction filters, the resulting audio signal is free of digital artefacts like ringing.  A Pure Class A analogue stage with very low output impedance provides the perfect interface to your favourite amplifier. Both balanced and single-ended outputs are available.

While the M51 includes the industry standard SPDIF inputs, in AES/EBU, Optical and Coaxial inputs, it also includes the latest USB technology. Called USB Audio Class 2, it supports sample rates of 192kHz releasing the previous limitation of USB at 96kHz. Both Host and Device USB ports are included allowing direct connection of a PC or MAC in addition to the connection of a USB flash or Hard Disc memory device. The M51 offers 2

HDMI inputs and 1 output with video pass through.

M51 is a fully functional digital preamp with seven digital inputs and one of the world’s best volume controls. As a ‘preamp’ it is totally noise and distortion free because all switching and volume control is done in the digital domain. There are no analogue circuits save for the Class A buffer at the output of the DAC.

The NAD Masters Series M51 Direct Digital DAC will be available in the UK from mid-March at a retail price of £1,500.00

Hifi Pig hopes to get its trotters on one soon to review for you.