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Should I adjust my NAD M51 DAC volume north of 0 dB with this setup?

In the warmer months, I am running a Schitt Freya tube preamp with an NAD M22 power amp and an NAD M51 DAC. [This replaces a tube integrated in the chain with the NAD M51 from my winter system.]

My question for the technical gurus is by looking at my Schitt preamp specifications and the NAD M51 specifications, can you make a recommendation as to where I should set the volume output level on the M51? Here are the specs:

Preamp/Schitt Freya:
Tube GainGain: 5 (14dB)Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.2db, 3Hz-200KHz, -3dB THD: <0.01%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 2V RMS IMD: <0.01%, CCIR SNR: >95db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS Output Impedance: 210 ohms Topology: differential input/output, pure triode, with low impedance followers Input Impedance: 10K ohms
Crosstalk: >75dB, 20-20kHzInputs: 2 XLR pairs plus 3 RCA pairs, selectable via front switch or remoteOutputs: 1 XLR pair plus 2 RCA pairs, selectable via front switch or remote Volume Control: relay-switched stepped attenuator with discrete thin-film resistors, 128 0.625dB steps

DAC/NAD M51:

  • Rated Distortion (THD+N with AES 17 filter)
  • <0.0005% (0dBFS)
    <0.002% (ref. 1kHz-60dBFS)
  • IMD Distortion
  • 0.0001%
  • Signal/Noise Ratio
  • <-123dB (ref. 0dBFS 2V out)
  • Channel Separation
  • >-115dB (ref. 0dBFS Volume -1dB)
  • Sample Rate
  • 32kHz to 192kHz (USB and digital S/PDIF)
  • Frequency Response
  • ±0.5dB (ref. 20Hz-96kHz @ 192kHz sample rate)
  • Output Level
  • 2V (ref. input 0dBFS)
  • Balanced 110 Ohms
Specs are available here: http://www.schiit.com/products/freya https://nadelectronics.com/product/m51-direct-digital-dac/
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Showing 2 responses by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
1,076 posts
 
I have a M51, great DAC...   I usually set mine at -1 to -3 dB going into my preamp as a source .  There is supposedly no truncation of data ubtil below -66 dB so experiment . You might find that -10 is a better match .  I personally dont think that unit sounds better as a preamp vs. a source component but it may in a different system so it doesnt hurt to try it that way as well.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
1,076 posts
 
I also have a c-j preamp... its a Classic 2 SE and it like most c-js has high gain. I would often leave the volume around 9 oclock on the pre and set the M51 to -20 or -10 so i could employ the remote volume on the DAC and not go past 0dB. Always sounds great . I normally hate digital volume, its why I traded my McCormack RLD 1 for the Classic, but the NAD digital volume is one of the best I’ve ever used. It is super smooth and the is no difference in quality at -20 or 0., its a great volume control. The only thing I dont like about that DAC is its lack of a front panel volume, serious omission on such a great DAC. They blew it on that one and would have sold a lot more if it was more like the preamp/dac they pitched it as .
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