dadonred

Thanks for the replies! I found an old article and a quote from NAD that -1 to 0 dB was where it _should_ be set. I've been exploring around that and feel OK with it. I do appreciate that the M51 has the volume control, but I seldom use it (yet am not yet committed to just setting it to 'fixed' either). I do enjoy my M51. I finally got around to A/B listening to my prior system (Denon 3802) vs. my new amplifier (M51 + Raven Blackhawk) - am happily stunned with the difference. BTW, I hate to drag on a thread, but for those who replied above, I'd further be interested to know which type of music you typically listen to and how hard you push your amp. I only have the Blackhawk at ~ 40-45% in a media-room environment. Also, have you used the phase reversal setting on the M51 and what made you think you needed to use that setting?

For owners of the M51, how do you set your volume level on the DAC vs. you amp? (And do you vary either depending on the type of music or just base it on the production in case the level varies?)

Yes the information is helpful. For clarification - I was referring to re-ripping of CDs and vinyl only; I realize you can't really put back what has already been taken away I have looked into FLAC and XLD (and separately at JRiver). I will need to study/think about AIFF. (I'm really behind on formats, hence my question/confusion.) I'm sure I'll just have to do some experimentation, but thanks for your specific information on the M51. I will likely stay with TOS just to avoid using sparce USB ports on my iMac which are used for various digital recording/studio I/O.

Now that I have a decent tube amp and will soon have an M51, I'm pondering what to do about my library: should I re-rip and to what? Apple lossless? AAC? 320kbps? (300GB of mixed mp3 / 192k / wav) I also have this question: I think my chain will be: iMac / TOSLink / M51 / Amp - I believe PCM is sent over TOSLink, but does that mean that formats are converted by iMac? Does M51 play Apply Lossless and/or AAC (via TOSLink in)? Thanks!

So I caved! I posted in the speaker forum here just now that I decided to try an in-home with a Raven Audio Blackhawk tube amp this week (and took delivery of it yesterday - absolutely stunning sound!) And Wednesday I decided to buy an M51 refurb from Spearit Sound - haven't received it yet, but am looking forward to it between the amp and my Panasonic 536 CD. The soundstage of the Blackhawk is just amazing (vs. my Denon 3802 receiver/amp). I just feel so lucky to be able to get this right now. Although my gut feels like the one review on M51 vs. C 510 (on another site) may not do either justice (due to unspecified firmware and operational details), I decided that the M51 from Spearit was nearly the same price as C 510 and may as well get it - I really don't care about the volume control (at this point). I hope I've chosen wisely. (I'm not sure that it really matters since the same DAC IC is used in both...)

I've only recently joined this forum, after looking at a discussion on the NAD M51. However, I want to share an experience with you from just this week. From time-to-time, I've looked at tube amplifiers, but never would pull the trigger. I've got a Denon AVR3802 and CF-30s for front speakers (the sides, rear, center, and sub are also Energy). Anyway, I've had it for a long time and it's good. Well, I came across a relatively new company, Raven Audio, in looking at some reviews. I upped the ante, got to know the owner by email who helped me out with questions I had. I just took delivery of the Blackhawk Limited Edition amplifier yesterday. I ran it to my CF-30s using their bi-wiring set-up. I drove it with an iPod of some high-res music. I was just amazed. There was so much SOUND and no fatigue. Completely different experience vs. my Denon. I heard things that I really hadn't even heard on headphones. Sampled music: Michael Hedges, the dB's, U2, Miles Davis, Pattie Loveless, Sarah McGlaughin, Flim & the BB's, Fleetwood Mac, LCD Soundmachine, and a few others. I am just so happy with it and happy that my speakers performed. Large soundstage, couldn't really tell anything about speaker position. I feel very happy with the Blackhawk amp. I also have an NAD M51 coming soon (refurb from Spearit Sound) and will use that to convert my Panasonic 536 CD player. I just wanted to make you aware of this as Raven is a small company and you probably haven't heard of them. The Blackhawk has upgraded tubes and are well worth it IMO.

Yes, I read that. It too was disappointing. Too much on physicality of i/o and not enough on sound. At any rate, that seemed mostly like a sponsored review, given the sidebar and did not compare/contrast with M51. Would still like to see a side-by-side.

I too am interested in this as one online review identified the same DAC chip in the C 510 as was used in the M51. It seems odd that there are no reviews available, nearly 9 months after launch (of the C 510). And a single review on a single forum causes everyone to just give up on the C 510? I'm doubtful, given what I've read about variations due to firmware differences in the M51. Who knows if the C 510 suffers similar issues? I'd like to hear a side-by-side but do not have the possibility of doing that in my locations.