NAD M50 CD Player/DAC

Wireless Hi-Rez Music Streaming, CD Ripping and Playback

The M50 is the brain of NAD‘s Masters Digital Music Suite, where most of the processing and control functions are located. The M50 is a “software defined” product, meaning that much of the functionality of the system is defined by software not hardware. The new cloud services or audio codecs can be integrated at a future date by simply changing the software stack of the M50. This software upgrade potential means that there is a software “roadmap” that allows the M50 to live on and maintain its cutting edge functionality. While the focus is clearly on 24/96 and 24/192 Studio Master downloads and listening, this roadmap includes Internet Radio and premium cloud services. You will be notified when these additional capabilities are available and given the option to add them in your M50.

The hardware includes the latest generation of low power, super high performance ARM processors. These have more computing power than a PC from just a few years ago, yet run cool and do not require noisy fans. Many different digital formats are supported in hardware including S/PDIF, USB and unusually for a stereo audio component, HDMI. HDMI is a secure encrypted format that supports 24/192 HD Audio in PCM’s native I2S format. This is not included as a video output.

There is a choice of wired or wireless network connection, and these use standard wireless protocol IEEE 802.11 b/g/n. The Wi-Fi capability offers the option of control from a smartphone or tablet with Wi-Fi, which is a fantastic way to enjoy your music collection. When combined with the M52 Digital Music Vault, the M50 becomes the ideal way to enjoy HD music as well as everything else in your collection including CDs, MP3s and AAC compressed music.

The M50 CD transport can playback or rip to the M52 Digital Music Vault, and ripping is completely automatic. NAD’s management software is available for free download for Apple iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. With a network connection to the internet, this music management software fetches meta data and cover art, without the need for a computer! Everything is organized and available for playback. You can browse your music collection using album art or category listings and easily create playlists on the fly.

Of course a tablet is not required to operate the M50, as there is an IR remote and 4-line graphic VFD display that operates like a conventional hi-fi component. The RS-232 and IR input allow integration with home automation systems as well. But the tablet or smartphone interface is addicting in its simplicity and ease of use. You can create and store playlists, and discover and play music from any device on the network. With your entire library at your fingertips, music listening becomes more engaging and more enjoyable.

Even CD playback is different and better than from existing CD players. Instead of streaming directly from the disc to the output, the M50 stores the CD as digital data in the M52 Digital Music Vault. It now can be played using the M50’s music management software, with cover art and disc information clearly displayed on your Apple or Android phone or tablet. When played back it is re-clocked to the M50’s high precision master clock for lowest levels of jitter.