woodcans

Has anyone tried the new 'Studio Albums' release on HDTracks? (Presto-Snakes) If Vapor Trails sounds good/not-too-compressed, I might go for it.

There's a 10% off code good through 4/10 on HDTracks page for the set.

I am a big fan of the OR5. I suspect you will notice a significant improvement in your system. I briefly tested out my OR5 on my pretty modest office system and it still made a big improvement.

I am using a pair with a Red Wine Audio AK100, and it is the best or almost the best headphone sound I have heard.

My OR5 is a significant improvement in SQ over the NAD m51's USB input in my system.

Another +1 for thumbs up. I have the 24/96 download and really like the way it sounds. Much improved over the original, imo. And a lot of the outtakes/b-sides are really good.

Has anyone tried out the 24/96 download yet? Any comparison to the 16/44 version?

As an M51 and OR owner, I would argue that the USB interface in almost all DACs can be improved. I love my M51/OR5 combo. Best digital I have ever heard, so that's my vote, with the unfortunate caveat that I haven't heard the Ayre or the April. The preamp function/volume control on the M51 is absolutely excellent. Only downside is there is no physical volume knob on the front of the unit. Must use the remote.

If you can audition an NAD m51 with an Off-Ramp, I highly recommend it. Same DAC section as bhobba's 360DD. When used as preamp with balanced out to a quality amp, the sound reproduction is phenomenal. Best I have heard in my system, by far. With a fully optioned Off-Ramp the combo would be in the ~$4200 range.

I don't know of anyone who has an Overdrive DAC. I would love to hear some comparisons as well. I considered an Overdrive, but I use every input on my m51 (except the USB ;-)) on a routine basis.

To be clear, the M51's USB input is not bad by any means, but the OR takes it to another level.

The OR4/5 is a significant improvement over the NAD's USB input. To me it is definitely worth the extra money. I have an Audiophilleo that is good, but the OR is unquestionably superior.

I can highly recommend the Off-Ramp 4 or 5/NAD m51 combo. In my system these two units make phenomenal music. The digital volume control on the m51 is stellar.

I would recommend an Audiophilleo2 and a better dac. I use the AMB labs Gamma2 in my office system and really like it. The AP2 makes a significant improvement compared to direct usb out or optical output from my MBP.

I _highly_ recommend an SSD. As far as connecting the MBP, if you have the budget, Empirical Audio's Off Ramp is the best USB converter I have heard. I like the Black Cat Cable Silverstar spdif cable and any of the Wireworld USB cables.