PS Audio vs NAD M12

Interesting take over at the avsforum.  I felt the M10 sounded better.   Maybe the synergy between the M12/17 is really good.

So I did a head to head of my Nad M12 an the M10.
Using the pre-outs on both, feeding into my amp a M17, toggling them back and forth.
(And I did this as a blinded test with both me and my wife)

Streaming through Roon, the m12 wins. Not by a huge amount, but a noticeable amount.
The M12 has more dynamic range, more depth. It seems more full. 
The M10 is slightly more flat, seems muddy in given ranges.

And the same can be said of using the M10 amp (speakers).
The M12 / m27 still wins.

So I was hoping this was a one box solution. But sadly, no. So I am sending the M10 back.

@ mmeysarosh, I know this thread is old, but recognized you seem to know quite a bit about NAD M12 - of which I have an interest. Maybe you or someone else could answer some questions about the unit (everyone with M12 might appreciate).

I’ve gravitated toward M12 because of the feature set more than any potential sonic benefits as a system upgrade. It is the only single-cabinet unit I’ve found that offers the following:

• Amazon Prime Music HD (and many other services including MQA) streaming with optional BluOS/2/2i MDC card.
• Outputs S/PDIF digital coax output of streamed music (and all other inputs). Note that no other NAD with a pre-amp (including M32 and M10) does this - they have coax out, but will not pass the stream out of the S/PDIF coax (see their manuals if necessary).
• Outputs RCA single-ended and XLR balanced output of all inputs (this is typical but noteworthy).
• Has the capability to connect multiple HDMI inputs and output (and pass-through) with optional HDM-2 MDC card. This is great for watching concerts on the 2-channel system by BluRay.
• Wireless streaming again with optional BluOS/2/2i MDC card.
• Included inputs: MM/MC phono, RCA, S/PDIF, USB, etc.

On to questions...

• Is there any single unit (not separates) competitor anywhere with the above feature set to compare against?
• How does the phono input rate? Is it worthy of a mid-high turntable (like Technics SL1200-series w/Ortofon Black)?
• M12 uses Zetex ZXCZM800 DAC chip (thank you for the info mmeysarosh!), and I find this is an 8-channel DAC chip. Since the unit is stereo and balanced, I’m supposing they used 2 DAC channels per side. That only accounts for 4 of the 8 available DAC channels on the chip. Did they use 2 DAC channels per differential; therefore 4 DAC channels per side? I find this multi-DAC topology common on very high level gear - where many DACs are used in a single circuit.
• Follow-up question to the above... Is multi-DAC done for averaging, or does each DAC handle a dedicated portion of the frequency range?
• The Zetex ZXCZM800 chip also has 8-channel x 14-biquad DSP capability built-in. Would it be possible for a user to access and edit those biquad filters? If so, how?

To be honest, the more I learn about the M12, the more I’m smitten with the unit - so far. If the DSP biquad filters were user-available, that would be huge benefit in my situation.

Hi mwatsme.  I am also very interested in the feature set of the M12.  Especially the HDMI inputs/output.  I currently use the prior generation of MSB Technology DAC, so I am concerned that I may be giving up sound quality for the feature set.  I wish there were more professional and user reviews of this unit, especially in the way you and I intend to use it.  I suppose I should try to find a unit to audition at home.     

I owned a Bluesound Node which I replaced with the M12 as my streaming device (going into a Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 integrated amp driving Dali MS5 speakers).  Enjoyed it for about 2 years before upgrading to something else.  I compared it with a Mytek Manhattan II, Chord TT2 and various other DACs while it was in my possession and while the newer dedicated DACs are often more detailed and resolving, I liked the relaxed nature of the M12.  The phono section was equally competent.  My brother has the M12 now driving a pair of Dynaudio Focus 30 XD active speakers.