PS Audio vs NAD M12

lots of discussion around the need for a pre-amp.  here is the answer from Paul..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F6z2iix_0c

@livlifdc I didn't watch the youtube video @mbolek linked but when I spoke to PS Audio on the phone they indicated the signal to noise ratio was not ideal for using the DSD or DSJr as a DAC (it's worse on the DSJr, which is what I had). I asked if they planned to make a DSD DAC/Preamp unit, like their current Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamp. They said no plans at this time. So my point to them was it's a bit odd that their Stellar Preamp has a DAC built in so you end up getting two DACs if you use a DSD/DSJr with that preamp. Your only other option with PS Audio is to go up to the BHK preamp but that is significantly more expensive and IMO isn't a natural mate to the DSJr that I had.

@jnehma1 Agree...

The video from Paul is not definitive.   Not that PS is trying to upsell additional components, but I'm now in the "keep it simple" mode.  I love the M10 and my buddy just pinged me on the Lyngdorf and will end up with an integrated streamer/DAC/amp/room correction/cuisinart....

@razorbraun.  I have the S400 on pre-order.   Between Jon and a few other folks these speakers from Denmark are worth a try.  I have Elac 61s arriving Friday and will be able to use the nCore's out of the M10.  I love Hypex as I have built several of their UCD designs in the past.

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.