[bryan0101]

DSD...um. So I guess high res 192/24 is going out of style already?!
Anyway, the thing about the metrum is, with their initial introductory price of 668EURO, vs what they are charging now. I think its ok pricing, but certainly not the deal of the year.

And if the preamp section of the M51 is up to the task along with the high res playback, their price is def justified. But I haven't read a detail review about the preamp function.

[highfilter]

Just to add my impressions of the M51... I previously used a W4S STP-SE pre-amp with a dB Audio Labs Tranquility SE DAC and have since sold both since the M51 is so damn good. I'm going XLR out from the M51 directly into a DAC Cherry Jr. amp and it's very very good. I loved the Tranquility, but the M51 is more liquid, has a pitch black background (could be the excellent pre-amp function in the DAC) and is more dynamic than my W4S and Tranquility SE combo.

I loved the NOS sound but the M51 excels in every way, in my opinion and on my system.

[wisnon]

I was seriously considering trying out the M51 in my system.  However, I now am looking at DACS that offer DSD capabilities as well.  Too bad that the M51 does not have DSD.  It would be the perfect product for me if it did with the excellent reports regarding its preamp functions.

In fact, it would be even cooler if NAD put DSD capable HDMI inputs on the M51.   

Regards,

Randy

For the same price the Chord QuteHD has DSD capability. The Sonore exD too, but is USB only, though only $1,295.

[bryan0101]

Does anyone knows opamp/analog stage M51 is using?
I imagine is a custom one.

[rklein]

DSD...um. So I guess high res 192/24 is going out of style already?!

Not at all.  All I am saying is that the M51 would be a wonderful choice for me if it had this capability.  If one is not interested in hearing DSD and wants the preamp functionality that the M51 offers, great.  It still looks to be a very nice piece of gear. 

Regards,

Randy

[morganc]

Wow...didn't expect that. I read about the metrum, and I am a fan of the NOS design (running a mhdt Havana currently). But comparing a fishermans friend tinbox Dac to the beefy M51, man. Glad I asked in this thread.

To be fair, nowaday you can get some high res audio from net. 96k, or even 192k 24 bits audio files. Have you guys tested these? If M51 come out ahead with high res, vs the redbook CD files, then it's still a good value.
And to M51 credit, it is actually really hard to match the level of realism and analog-like quality of a good NOS dac with no filters.

We didn't expect it either and that was using the less than ideal Optical Input into the Metrum.   With a decent Coax cable it should be even better vs the NAD.   

Having said that, I sadly have to return the Metrum as the Coax input is non functional.   

[simon wagstaff]

Does anyone knows opamp/analog stage M51 is using?
I imagine is a custom one.

I am not sure if any op amps or traditional parts are used. it does direct digital/analogue conversion using some sort of trickery and magic, for want of a better explanation. It's in all the reviews.