Many of us still have extensive CD collections, however, and luckily the M5 has sophisticated circuitry designed to also get the best possible sound quality from your existing CD recordings. In addition, the M5 includes an HDCD decoder which can increase the dynamic range of CD by 6dB with specially encoded and widely available CDs. CDR and CDRW recordable discs are fully supported, and even MP3 and WMA can be played on the M5 CD/SACD Player offering many hours of playback from a single disc.
But the SACD format also offers the possibility of 5.1 surround sound playback, and the M5 is equipped to take full advantage of these exciting new multi-channel recordings. We have even included comprehensive bass management (redirection) for the 5.1 output. Several popular speaker configurations can be easily accessed from the front panel controls and navigated via the VFD display.
Separately configured signal paths for the CD and SACD audio maintain the highest possible levels of CD and SACD sound quality. PCM Digital audio outputs are available in AES/EBU (balanced), coaxial, and optical (TosLink) SPDIF formats.
The NAD M5 uses professional grade D/A converters with 24-bit, 192-kHz resolution for PCM (CD) signals, and a special DSD mode for SACD. These premium devices are well protected from noise caused by even minute fluctuations in current from the power supply. Separate digital filters are employed for the SACD and CD signal paths to perfectly compliment these uniquely different signal formats. The level of quantization noise within the frequency range is uniform for all frequencies and very well suppressed. This D/A converter ensures that all the sound you hear is as clear and noise-free as possible, regardless of recorded format.
NAD’s specially designed discrete Class A gain modules keep all the detail in high resolution SACD perfectly intact, and offer very low output impedance across the frequency spectrum. These are the same high performance modules first seen in the M3 preamplifier stage, with distortion levels that are at the lower limits of measurement combined with ample undistorted output current to effortlessly drive even long cable runs. A set of balanced stereo analog outputs are included for very long runs and easy integration with professional studio equipment.
The audio stage of the M5 is fed from a separate linear power supply utilizing a specially designed C-core transformer for the lowest possible noise and best supply regulation. The mechanical and digital circuits have their own independent NAD designed switch mode supply.
- Plays SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW - AES/EBU balanced digital out for PCM sources - Coax and TosLink PCM digital audio outputs - Separate 2 channel and 5.1 channel analog outputs - Balanced 600 Ohm Stereo Outputs - HDCD, MP3, and WMA decoding - Bass Management for SACD - 24 bit 192kHz DACs with DSD mode - NAD Pure Class A Discrete Gain Modules - Separate power supplies; switch mode for digital circuits, linear for audio circuits. - Composite Video Output (switchable On/Off) - RS-232 port - IR Input - 12V Trigger Input - Detachable AC cord - M5 Remote Control
