NAD M5 Masters Series multi-channel SACD/stereo CD player

Features
Input and Output Notes

Features

Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Encoding: The Super Audio CD standard is based on Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology. The DSD format is a 1-bit system that has a digital sampling frequency 64 times that of conventional audio CD, 2,822,400 samples per second. The result is spectacular: a frequency response of over 100k Hz and a 120 dB dynamic range over the entire audible spectrum. Mixed with as many of the original frequencies as possible, the audio information audible for human ears sounds much more natural.

Power Supplies: The NAD M5 uses two discrete power supplies; a linear C-core transformer powers the audio stage, while the mechanical and digital circuits use a separate switching power supply.

Disc Compatibility: The M5 plays SACD, CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs. There are decoders built-in for playing HDCD, MP3, and WMA encoded discs.

Signal Path: Internally there are separate signal paths for CD and SACD playback to optimize the sound quality for either format. NAD uses professional grade digital to analog converters with 192 kHz/24-bit resolution for PCM (CD) signals, and a special DSD mode for SACD.

Digital Filters: The M5 has separate digital filters for the SACD and CD signal paths to compliment these unique signal formats. The CD filter has a user adjustable bandwidth:

• Normal: standard CD high-pass filter slope; active on the two channel analog stereo audio jacks
• Slow: engages a gentle high-pass filter slope for added spatial feeling; particularly useful for higher bit rate recordings; active on the two channel analog stereo audio jacks

Bass Management: The SACD format offers multi-channel surround sound playback, and the M5 is equipped to take advantage of these recordings. Bass management controls are built in to adjust the level, size, delay, and crossover point individually for each of the six analog output channels.

Display Dimmer: The Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) has three brightness settings.

Wireless Remote Control: In addition to the unit's front panel controls, the player includes a dedicated full-feature IR wireless remote control for easy operation.

Input and Output Notes

Digital Outputs: Three digital outputs transfer the audio signal from a CD (including CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA; the SACD signal cannot be output digitally); one optical (Toslink), one coaxial (RCA), and one AES/EBU (balanced XLR, the serial data output is taken after error correction but before digital-to-analog conversion and filtering and is transformer-isolated from the built-in digital to analog circuits). The digital outputs have two settings:

• PCM: select when connected to a two-channel digital stereo preamplifier; multi-channel CDs will automatically be down-mixed to two-channel PCM audio
• Stream/PCM: select if connected to a surround sound processor or other equipment with a decoder

Analog Output: The M5 has stereo RCA outputs and balanced XLR outputs for CDs and SACDs, and 5.1 channel RCA outputs for SACDs, utilizing the high quality 192 kHz/24-bit digital to analog converters.

Video Output: A composite video output is used to display the setup menu.

12 Volt Trigger In: This unit can be turned on/off by another device; the +12 volt trigger input is a 3.5mm mini-jack. When a cable is plugged into this jack the front panel and remote power controls are disabled.

RS 232: The RS-232 port allows connection to a compatible PC or external whole-house control system from companies such as AMX or Crestron.

IR In: This 3.5mm mini-jack input is used to control this unit using an optional infrared repeater or the IR output of another component.