Last follow up, trying to improve the USB stick input on the Marantz would be sketchy. It’s going to be one of those USB 1.0 devices like on a cheap blu-ray player, and you’re still connecting to the M51 via coax anyways.
I mean, you’re using the Marantz as a pass-through atm (effectively you’re using it as SPDIF output), for which I see no real benefit apart from when its playing CDs (which you could rip and either play directly to the NAD or stream via the Marantz).
I see the 8006 has ethernet and wifi inputs and USB output, so on paper, the best layout would be:
1. files on network storage (computer / laptop / big USB drive / NAS)
2. ethernet or wifi to Marantz
3. Marantz USB out to M51 USB in -- here is where you may want to try a USB reclocking doohickey OR
3.1 Marantz USB out to M51 AES in (like my Yellowtec PUC2 Lite / Berkeley Alpha USB, e.g. USB-SPDIF/AES converter) OR
4. Marantz SPDIF out to M51 SPDIF in -- there are still some SPDIF reclocking doohickeys
Where this could get very silly is a config like (just picking products at random)
Marantz USB out > Uptone Audio USB Regen > Yellowtec PUC2 Lite > M51 AES in --we’ve all tried this kind of thing, though! It’s probably why a lot of manufacturers have more and more all-in-one network players like your Marantz, or separate network transports, even combo network streamer-DAC-preamps. So many damned cables and power supplies. And DC umbilicals and power cables to sell for them!
I mean, you’re using the Marantz as a pass-through atm (effectively you’re using it as SPDIF output), for which I see no real benefit apart from when its playing CDs (which you could rip and either play directly to the NAD or stream via the Marantz).
I see the 8006 has ethernet and wifi inputs and USB output, so on paper, the best layout would be:
1. files on network storage (computer / laptop / big USB drive / NAS)
2. ethernet or wifi to Marantz
3. Marantz USB out to M51 USB in -- here is where you may want to try a USB reclocking doohickey OR
3.1 Marantz USB out to M51 AES in (like my Yellowtec PUC2 Lite / Berkeley Alpha USB, e.g. USB-SPDIF/AES converter) OR
4. Marantz SPDIF out to M51 SPDIF in -- there are still some SPDIF reclocking doohickeys
Where this could get very silly is a config like (just picking products at random)
Marantz USB out > Uptone Audio USB Regen > Yellowtec PUC2 Lite > M51 AES in --we’ve all tried this kind of thing, though! It’s probably why a lot of manufacturers have more and more all-in-one network players like your Marantz, or separate network transports, even combo network streamer-DAC-preamps. So many damned cables and power supplies. And DC umbilicals and power cables to sell for them!