Master Fidelity NADAC DAC and Clock

[Rexp]

hi-fi+ has updated their review of the Master Fidelity NADAC-D (DAC) and NADAC-C (Clock) now that the units have been updated.
Apparently that includes recalling the original NADAC-D and NADAC-C units already sold back to the factory for an upgrade.

https://www.master-fidelity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/hi-fi-247_Review_Master-Fidelity_REVISED.pdf

The designer says 'the results we have achieved surpass what we hear from analogue master tape'

I wonder what he means by that?

 

[Davidny]

The designer says 'the results we have achieved surpass what we hear from analogue master tape'

I wonder what he means by that?

Since M-F’s desinger Weishan Xu is an engineer I assume he’s referring to the theoretical superiority of a fully digital recording and playback chain, versus one that relies on analog tape as the storage and playback medium.

I don’t have much experience listening to master tape. But I do know that proper maintenance of a R2R machine requires effort and tapes are not plentiful, provenance is an issue (i.e, what generation is it) and they are expensive. So generalizations are dangerous and hats off to those who have a high end R2R machine and tape collection.

I do believe that tape, vinyl and digital each have unique +’s & -‘s that make each sound different

I’ve considered digital music storage theoretically superior since i first heard a primordial version of it at Soundstream Digital in Salt Lake City in 1980 on a large minicomputer. And we all know early CD’s and players sounded horrible. But with the advent of more broadly available downloadable high resolution music files (PCM and DSD, although I’m inclined to agree that the DSD / PDM may be superior because it more closely mimics an analog waveform) manufacturers can now hear how their equipment stacks up to the real thing.

Here’s another review of the M-F D & C that makes comparisons you may find useful.

Master Fidelity NADAC D DAC and C Master Clock | REVIEW

Hi-Fi news, gear reviews, and interviews

pt.audio

 

[Rexp]

Since M-F’s desinger Weishan Xu is an engineer I assume he’s referring to the theoretical superiority of a fully digital recording and playback chain, versus one that relies on analog tape as the storage and playback medium.

Makes sense.

 

[Rushton]

But the NADAC makes the edit master, whether that’s 92/24, DXD or DSD sound much better than the DSD256 version. The edit master recreates the acoustics of the recording venue and presents a more realistic balance among different instruments without any loss of dynamics

With my Playback Designs MPD-8 it has long been my preference to listen to the edit master, in whatever format or resolution it may exist. I consistently get better sound when I do this. Glad to know you are hearing the same with the NADAC.

And, as you point out, this outcome is very much DAC-specific.

 

[Davidny]

hi-fi+ has updated their review of the Master Fidelity NADAC-D (DAC) and NADAC-C (Clock) now that the units have been updated.
Apparently that includes recalling the original NADAC-D and NADAC-C units already sold back to the factory for an upgrade.

https://www.master-fidelity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/hi-fi-247_Review_Master-Fidelity_REVISED.pdf

Yes, all I had to do was pay for shipping. M-F made hardware and software changes that were significant enough they could not be made in the field. The DAC does sound better and I’ve been impressed with M-F commitment to its customers

 

[alecm]

I was absolutely blown away by the sound quality and overall performance of the system built around the NADAC D DAC. Huge thanks to Markus @Perfect sense Audio for organizing the show — it was a real treat.


The sound was incredibly fluid and organic, with that effortless musical flow that just pulls you in. It had a strong emotional grip and musical involvement, even without an external clock — which honestly surprised me.

The only thing I didn’t quite get was the choice to run those powerful monoblocks through an isolation transformer( i think it was intentionally). It seemed to take a little bite out of the transients. But aside from that, this was a seriously impressive setup — and the DAC clearly set the tone for everything.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

View attachment 159724

I was absolutely blown away by the sound quality and overall performance of the system built around the NADAC D DAC. Huge thanks to Markus @Perfect sense Audio for organizing the show — it was a real treat.


The sound was incredibly fluid and organic, with that effortless musical flow that just pulls you in. It had a strong emotional grip and musical involvement, even without an external clock — which honestly surprised me.

The only thing I didn’t quite get was the choice to run those powerful monoblocks through an isolation transformer( i think it was intentionally). It seemed to take a little bite out of the transients. But aside from that, this was a seriously impressive setup — and the DAC clearly set the tone for everything.

First of all, thanks for joining us during our Take 5 event in Stockholm! We're happy to say that we managed to reach a new record in terms of attendance this year.

I'm very pleased to hear that you enjoyed the performance of this system which did consist of a wonderful mix of brands and carefully matched components.

The Karan POWERa (stereo) did not run through the @PLiXiR Power James Soh Elite BAC 3500 MKII power conditioner, but the remaining part of the system did

/ Marcus

 

[Rexp]

First of all, thanks for joining us during our Take 5 event in Stockholm! We're happy to say that we managed to reach a new record in terms of attendance this year.

I'm very pleased to hear that you enjoyed the performance of this system which did consist of a wonderful mix of brands and carefully matched components.

The Karan POWERa (stereo) did not run through the @PLiXiR Power James Soh Elite BAC 3500 MKII power conditioner, but the remaining part of the system did

/ Marcus

System run down and video would be nice.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

System run down and video would be nice.

Streamer: Aurender N50
DAC: Master Fidelity NADAC D
Amplifier: Karan Acoustics LINEa + POWERa
Speakers: Stenheim Alumine 5SE
Cables: Esprit
Network switch/cables: Network Acoustics

 

[Davidny]

Streamer: Aurender N50
DAC: Master Fidelity NADAC D
Amplifier: Karan Acoustics LINEa + POWERa
Speakers: Stenheim Alumine 5SE
Cables: Esprit
Network switch/cables: Network Acoustics

Marcus
You should try to acquire the NADAC Clock to accompany the DAC. It quite a difference
Best regards .

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Marcus
You should try to acquire the NADAC Clock to accompany the DAC. It quite a difference
Best regards .

I know . Adding the clock to this system would not have been over the top.

 

[JiminGa]

I know . Adding the clock to this system would not have been over the top.

Could you use the Aurender MC 20 instead of the MF clock? It should be significantly better.

 

[DDgtt]

Could you use the Aurender MC 20 instead of the MF clock? It should be significantly better.

Streamers upstream of the DAC certainly do make a difference. But the biggest improvement for your DAC would be the MF clock. Greatly solidity all around.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Could you use the Aurender MC 20 instead of the MF clock? It should be significantly better.

As much as we love Aurender, this wouldn't make much sense over using the NADAC C clock made by Master Fidelity to go with the NADAC D DAC.

 

[JiminGa]

Streamers upstream of the DAC certainly do make a difference. But the biggest improvement for your DAC would be the MF clock. Greatly solidity all around.

I use the MC20 with my N50 which is expensive at 30k buts it’s the best word/master clock combo I have heard

 

[DDgtt]

I use the MC20 with my N50 which is expensive at 30k buts it’s the best word/master clock combo I have heard

I can see how the MC20 and N50 are a good combo. In relation to the MF clock. The engineers at MF were first and foremost clock designers for the pro world. So clocks are a real specialty of theirs. Clocking their DAC is done with complete synergy and represents the most advance clock technology.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

I use the MC20 with my N50 which is expensive at 30k buts it’s the best word/master clock combo I have heard

We've got the N50 + MC10 here in Stockholm, so I do know what you mean

 

[alecm]

Could you use the Aurender MC 20 instead of the MF clock? It should be significantly better.

I’d say it’s actually the other way around — replacing the Aurender clock with the MF one should give a solid boost and improvement.

The specs of the Aurender MC20 clock are quite mediocre, on par with Chinese clocks like LHY models under $1000.



In contrast, the MF NADAC clock has ultimate-level specs — very few on the market can match it.

 

[Davidny]

A positive endorsement from Greg Weaver

 

[JiminGa]

I’d say it’s actually the other way around — replacing the Aurender clock with the MF one should give a solid boost and improvement.

The specs of the Aurender MC20 clock are quite mediocre, on par with Chinese clocks like LHY models under $1000.

View attachment 160810

In contrast, the MF NADAC clock has ultimate-level specs — very few on the market can match it.
View attachment 160811

There is a lot more to it as I’m sure you know. Let’s agree to disagree on this one. Enjoy