Should I conisder the NAD C510 Dac/Pre-amp in current times?

[johnsen88]

Lads, I don't see this NAD C 510 Direct Digital Preamp/DAC discussed here. If any, there is very little info. I have the NAD 208 THX power amp and always wanted to utilise its XLR inputs. Currently, I own a streamer/integrated amp that is used as a pre-amp to the power amp. The connection is RCA from the pre-amp to the power amp. There are no balanced outputs. Is this DAC even worth getting at this point to serve as a preamp?

Someone mentioned how the Eversolo A6 has it all in a neat package and is worth a look. I am not looking to spend much, given that I already have a primary setup. This is very much explorative, and therefore, I am not looking to spend much money. I am leaning towards the NAD C 510 primarily because it is another NAD, and I could get them fairly cheap in the UK.

The other amps I am considering are:

Schiit Freya/Kara(Amir has given his approval, and the measurements are excellent)
Wyred 4 Sound Sti 1000.(kinda dated but is well regarded amongst a few I have asked)

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Esque]

What are you missing right now/ what isn't working? If it's just to use XLR connections, don't bother. Also unless it's sub 100$ I wouldn't consider the NAD.

 

[johnsen88]

What are you missing right now/ what isn't working? If it's just to use XLR connections, don't bother. Also unless it's sub 100$ I wouldn't consider the NAD.

Thanks for the reply, Esque. I am not missing out on anything, but rather, trying to use what I have(together with a bal. preamp) to experience a balanced setup. Also, I am considering having the NAD 208 paired with the C510 for my secondary setup. This will allow me to shift the power amp for moderate usage and get a new power amp(purifi/hypex based) for my main setup.

 

[DVDdoug]

to experience a balanced setup.

The advantage of balanced connections is noise rejection. They are virtually immune to ground loop noise and much more resistant to radiated noise pick-up.

If you have such a problem, it's usually power line hum. It's rarely a problem at home with "short" connections. If you are running connections between rooms or between buildings ground loops are more common. Or if you do have hum problems with shorter connections, balanced connections are often a good solution.

In pro setups like recording studios or radio/TV studios and live sound, balanced XLR connections are the standard. With multiple setups and long connections that might be switched around frequently it gives some "insurance" and the XLR connectors are a lot more rugged. Pro microphone cables are also balanced (for noise immunity) and it's handy using the same type of cable for almost everything.

There are also different standards for pro & consumer line level, with the pro signal being higher (higher voltage). If you mix & match and adapt, sometimes you don't get enough signal into a "pro" power amplifier with XLR inputs.

 

[Esque]

If you mix & match and adapt, sometimes you don't get enough signal into a "pro" power amplifier with XLR inputs.

Never mix and match balanced and un-balanced, unless you absolutely have no other option. But if you must, make sure to check which pins to leave floating or short. Then order or build the adapter and tag the wiring diagram to it.

 

[johnsen88]

The advantage of balanced connections is noise rejection. They are virtually immune to ground loop noise and much more resistant to radiated noise pick-up.

If you have such a problem, it's usually power line hum. It's rarely a problem at home with "short" connections. If you are running connections between rooms or between buildings ground loops are more common. Or if you do have hum problems with shorter connections, balanced connections are often a good solution.

In pro setups like recording studios or radio/TV studios and live sound, balanced XLR connections are the standard. With multiple setups and long connections that might be switched around frequently it gives some "insurance" and the XLR connectors are a lot more rugged. Pro microphone cables are also balanced (for noise immunity) and it's handy using the same type of cable for almost everything.

There are also different standards for pro & consumer line level, with the pro signal being higher (higher voltage). If you mix & match and adapt, sometimes you don't get enough signal into a "pro" power amplifier with XLR inputs.

Thanks for the explanation, Doug. I do have some buzz/hum in my tweeters if I put my ears an inch or so away from it. It is inaudible a feet away. I noticed that this was not present when the streamer integrated amplifier was hooked up to the speakers without the power amp. When the speakers where connected the power amp and the integrated amp was connected to the power amp using a RCA connection, there was this buzz/hum.

When asked around, most said that this was from the power amp(the amp is from the mid 90s). I am guessing it is normal for there to be some buzz/hum as such. Can I say that clearly has nothing to do with the power line?

It does not bother me because it is inaudible. However, if I can get rid of it with a simple switch from RCA to XLR connection, then I am up for it.

 

[johnsen88]

Never mix and match balanced and un-balanced, unless you absolutely have no other option. But if you must, make sure to check which pins to leave floating or short. Then order or build the adapter and tag the wiring diagram to it.

"If you mix & match and adapt, sometimes you don't get enough signal into a "pro" power amplifier with XLR inputs."

Doug, could you clarify this further? Are you referring to a mix and match of connections between equipment or makes?

Esque, correct me if I am wrong here. If I connected the NAD C510(Dac preamp) to the NAD 208 power amp using XLR connection to and have the speakers connected to the terminals on the power amp,

 

[Mart68]

Thanks for the explanation, Doug. I do have some buzz/hum in my tweeters if I put my ears an inch or so away from it. It is inaudible a feet away. I noticed that this was not present when the streamer integrated amplifier was hooked up to the speakers without the power amp. When the speakers where connected the power amp and the integrated amp was connected to the power amp using a RCA connection, there was this buzz/hum.

When asked around, most said that this was from the power amp(the amp is from the mid 90s). I am guessing it is normal for there to be some buzz/hum as such. Can I say that clearly has nothing to do with the power line?

It does not bother me because it is inaudible. However, if I can get rid of it with a simple switch from RCA to XLR connection, then I am up for it.

No, it's not normal to have buzz or hum through the speakers, almost certainly this is a ground loop since you say you don't have the issue with a different amp. Using the NAD pre and connecting to the power amp via XLR will solve this. You say your power amp has XLR inputs so there's no need to worry about combining balanced and single ended input/outputs. It would be worth getting the NAD pre just to solve that issue, IMO.

 

[johnsen88]

No, it's not normal to have buzz or hum through the speakers, almost certainly this is a ground loop since you say you don't have the issue with a different amp. Using the NAD pre and connecting to the power amp via XLR will solve this. You say your power amp has XLR inputs so there's no need to worry about combining balanced and single ended input/outputs. It would be worth getting the NAD pre just to solve that issue, IMO.

Yes Sir. Sounds good to me. This brings me to another question: Is there a particular way I can integrated all 3 in a setup? That is to say: connect the Primare integrated streamer(stream music through wifi) through digital OUT----> Nad 510(utilise the 35-bit up architecture) ---> Nad power amp -> speakers.

 

[Mart68]

Yes Sir. Sounds good to me. This brings me to another question: Is there a particular way I can integrated all 3 in a setup? That is to say: connect the Primare integrated streamer(stream music through wifi) through digital OUT----> Nad 510(utilise the 35-bit up architecture) ---> Nad power amp -> speakers.

I can't answer that one. CD still seems new-fangled to me.

 

[Esque]

Esque, correct me if I am wrong here. If I connected the NAD C510(Dac preamp) to the NAD 208 power amp using XLR connection to and have the speakers connected to the terminals on the power amp,

XLR to XLR is perfectly fine.

That is to say: connect the Primare integrated streamer(stream music through wifi) through digital OUT----> Nad 510(utilise the 35-bit up architecture) ---> Nad power amp -> speakers.

That would work. The NAD supports up to 24/192khz if not mistaken.

do have some buzz/hum in my tweeters

This is probably due to the amp itself. Try having it turned on with nothing connected. if it still buzzing, no XLR connection is gonna fix that.