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NAD D 1050 Stereo DAC/headphone amplifier

Item # 745D1050

The D 1050 digital-to-analog converter combines over 40 years of NAD engineering excellence with a sleek new...

The D 1050 digital-to-analog converter combines over 40 years of NAD engineering excellence with a sleek new...

3 questions - 9 answers

Item # 745D1050

About the NAD D 1050

Dave Bar

Classic NAD performance in a modern package

The D 1050 digital-to-analog converter combines over 40 years of NAD engineering excellence with a sleek new industrial design. This desktop-friendly DAC lets your computer and your hi-fi system or headphones make beautiful music together. The D 1050 accepts digital audio files from your PC via USB, bypassing your computer's built-in sound card for a far more exciting listening experience. You'll hear layers of musical detail previously obscured by the noisy environment inside your PC — the warm, natural decay of a guitar chord, or reverberations echoing in a concert hall. On your best recordings, each instrument and vocal will stand out clearly and distinctly in its own separate space, allowing you to follow each one note-for-note.


High-res audio

Classic NAD performance in a modern package

The D 1050 digital-to-analog converter combines over 40 years of NAD engineering excellence with a sleek new industrial design. This desktop-friendly DAC lets your computer and your hi-fi system or headphones make beautiful music together. The D 1050 accepts digital audio files from your PC via USB, bypassing your computer's built-in sound card for a far more exciting listening experience. You'll hear layers of musical detail previously obscured by the noisy environment inside your PC — the warm, natural decay of a guitar chord, or reverberations echoing in a concert hall. On your best recordings, each instrument and vocal will stand out clearly and distinctly in its own separate space, allowing you to follow each one note-for-note.

The D 1050 can also breathe new life into your disc player or music streamer. Simply connect it to your player's optical or coaxial digital output to experience added depth, clarity, and focus on your favorite tracks.


"Damn, this NAD is fun to listen to!"

"I like being surprised and the NAD D 1050 surprised me insofar as how much pure listening enjoyment it offers. With a host of digital inputs including an asynchronous 24/192-capable USB port, a very nice sounding headphone amp, and single-ended and balanced outputs, the D 1050 wraps up a lot of functions into a visually and tactilely appealing package that also happens to be damn fun to listen to."

— From Michael Lavorgna's review in Audiostream, August 7, 2013
Read the full review



NAD D 1050 digital to analog converter

The compact D 1050 can rest vertically or horizontally, so it can fit just about anywhere.

24-bit/192kHz asynchronous USB input

The D 1050's USB input improves your computer's sound and is capable of playing high-resolution music files for sound quality that even trumps CDs. (Free USB driver download required for Windows® PC playback.) The USB connection employs asynchronous re-clocking technology. This advanced design precisely controls the timing of your computer's USB output for vanishingly low levels of jitter — errors in the timing of the data stream that can make music sound harsh and edgy, and smear subtle details.

The devil's in the details

NAD packed a lot of premium parts inside the D 1050, then meticulously tuned them for optimum audio performance. NAD chose multi-layer circuit boards and micro-miniaturized surface mount components soldered with lead-free high silver content solder to ensure ultra-short, impedance-controlled signal paths. Analog outputs include single-ended RCA and balanced XLR connections for flexible hookup with a wide variety of audio gear. And NAD included a premium quality headphone amplifier with an independent volume control to provide powerful sound for private listening.

You won't find a lot of unnecessary buttons cluttering the streamlined D 1050. There's an extra-large knob for headphone volume and a soft-touch button for selecting your music source. The display shows source and the incoming sample rate of your music. The DAC's compact enclosure can stand vertically on your desktop or a bookshelf to save space, or be placed horizontally in a component rack or cabinet.

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Product highlights:

  • supports sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz for listening to high-resolution digital music sources
  • asynchronous USB technology for reduced timing jitter and better sound on USB input
  • front-panel sampling rate indicator verifies incoming source rate
  • high-performance headphone amplifier with minijack (3.5mm) front-panel output and volume control
  • specially designed low-noise headphone circuitry accommodates a wide range of 'phones up to 600 ohms
  • two optical and two RCA coaxial digital audio inputs
  • USB (Type B) input for connection to a computer
  • fixed-level RCA and balanced XLR audio outputs
  • supported sample rates for USB and coaxial inputs: 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/172.4/192kHz
  • supported sample rates for optical inputs: 32/44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
  • operating system requirements: Windows® XP (Service Pack 2 or higher), Windows 7, and Mac® OS X® 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and later
  • NAD USB 2.0 driver required for playback on Windows computers (free USB driver download available from NAD's website)
  • Mac OS X 10.6 or later supports plug-and-play operation, so no dedicated driver is required
  • frequency response: 20Hz to 96kHz (±0.5 dB)
  • THD: less than 0.001%
  • signal-to-noise ratio: greater than 115 dB
  • external power supply included
  • 4 self-adhesive rubber feet included
  • 2-5/16"W x 7-5/16"H x 9-5/16"D (vertical orientation)
  • weight: 2.2 lbs. (without power supply)
  • If connecting to a TV, please make sure you can select "PCM" output in your TV's audio menu. This DAC cannot decode multi-channel Dolby® Digital signals.
  • warranty: 1 year
  • MFR # D1050

What's in the box:

  • External USB DAC
  • AC power adapter (w/ attached 5' DC cord)
  • 4 AC plug insert (US/AU/UK/EU)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Quick Setup Guide

Customer reviews for NAD D 1050

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More details on the NAD D 1050

Mark G.

Features & specs

Design
Type ---
Built-in Rechargable Battery ---
Built-in Headphone Amplifier
Output Power ---
Output Impedance (Unbalanced) ---
Output Impedance (Balanced) ---
Audio Specs
Bit Depth (USB) ---
Max Sampling Rate (USB) ---
Bit Depth (S/PDIF) ---
Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF ---
S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) ---
S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) ---
THD (Unbalanced) ---
THD (Balanced) ---
Supported File Types
PCM ---
DSD ---
DXD ---
MQA ---
Inputs
Total Inputs 5
USB Type B
Optical Digital 2
Coaxial Digital 2
3.5mm Digital None
Stereo RCA Analog None
Stereo 3.5mm Analog None
Stereo XLR Analog ---
Headphone Outputs
3.5mm Unbalanced ---
1/4-inch Unbalanced ---
4.4mm Balanced ---
XLR4 Balanced ---
Other Headphone Outs ---
Line Level & Digital Outs
RCA Line Out 1
3.5mm Line Out None
XLR Line Out ---
Subwoofer Out None
Optical Digital Out None
Coaxial Digital Out None
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth ---
Wi-Fi ---
Apple-compatible ---
Android-compatible ---
General Info
Width (inches) 2-5/16
Height (inches) 7-5/16
Depth (inches) 9-5/16
Weight 2.2 lbs.
Parts Warranty 2 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Years

Product Research

Features

External DAC: The NAD 1050 is a high performance external DAC which lets you stream your high-resolution music files on your computer (via USB) to your home audio system (via RCA or XLR) with exceptional sound quality. It also provides optical and coaxial digital inputs for connection of other digital audio devices (like your Blu-ray or CD player). In addition an integrated headphone amplifier lets you listen to your digital music files privately with great sound.

Delta-Sigma 24-Bit/192kHz Architecture: The NAD 1050 employs a Delta-Sigma 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converter (DAC), active oversampling filters, and separate precisions clocks. This configuration effectively reduces jitter (digital timing errors) to prevent unwanted noise and distortion, while maintaining a linear phase response and natural sound. All your digital music is bit perfect with nothing upscaled or downscaled.

Note: The NAD 1050 supports the following sampling rates; 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 172.4kHz, and 192kHz.

Ultra-Short Signal Paths: The D 1050's analog and digital circuits use ultra short impedance-controlled signal paths made possible by multi-layer circuit boards and micro-miniaturized surface mount components which are soldered with lead-free high silver content solder. These details contribute to reduced noise and excellent sound quality.

Asynchronous USB (Type-B) Input: The NAD D 1050 features an "asynchronous" USB (type-B) input to insure the lowest possible jitter (timing errors) from your connected Windows or Mac computer. The D 1050's USB input supports up to 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution music files on your computer. The D 1050 is compatible with Mac OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6) or later version; no additional USB driver required. Its also compatible with Windows (XP service pack 2 or higher and 7); additional USB driver download required from NAD website.

Optical/Coaxial Digital Inputs: The NAD D 1050 is fitted with two digital coaxial (RCA) inputs and two optical (toslink) digital inputs for connection of your digital audio sources; like Blu-ray/DVD players, CD/SACD players, satellite/cable boxes, or network audio receivers. The D 1050 only supports a PCM digital audio signal (not Dolby Digital/DTS).

Balanced & Unbalanced Analog Outputs: The NAD D 1050 is fitted with both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog audio outputs  to connect to your integrated amplifier or AV receiver. Output impedance is extremely low, minimizing the effect of connecting cables and keeping noise vanishingly low.

Discrete Headphone Amp: The D 1050 also includes a premium discrete headphone amplifier output with a high-quality volume control for connection of a set of headphones. A specially designed low noise headphone circuitry accommodates a wide range of headphones, even 600-ohm studio models. When headphones are connected, the DAC's unbalanced and balanced audio outputs are muted.

External Power Supply: The NAD D 1050 includes an external power supply to provide isolation from ultra-precise audio circuits for better audio performance and less distortion.

  • Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz, 0.75A
  • Output: 5.0V - 400mA/20W

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
what is the size of the head phone jack?
paul  Oct 13, 2016
3 answers
A
Looks like 3.5mm. I don't use it.
scott d  Oct 14, 2016
A
The same ones that fit cell phone headphone jack.
ken  Oct 14, 2016
A
The headphone jack is the smaller, 3.5mm size
seth  Oct 14, 2016
Q
I noticed the unit does not include a tigger input. Will the unit automatically power on from standby when an optical signal is fed from another device?
clifford  Apr 18, 2016
4 answers
A
It does however power on with an NAD remote. I use this with my NAD C326 BEE amplifier and the included remote powers on the 1050 and also can control the volume when using headphones.
seth  Oct 14, 2016
A
No.
corey  Apr 18, 2016
A
No, it will not automatically power on when a signal is sent to the DAC. You either have to turn it on manually each time, or always leave it on, which is what I do. Mine has been on constantly for almost 2 years, and the only issue I have experienced is the indicator lamp for the input that I use 90% of the time has begun to fade. The audio output has not been affected, however. The unit doesn't really generate any heat, so I think lamp burnout is really the only concern if you choose to leave it on all the time. A remote would have been the best solution - too bad NAD didn't choose to include that feature.
veronica  Apr 18, 2016
A
I turn it on and switch inputs with my Logitech Universal Remote.
scott d  Apr 18, 2016
Q
can it handle pcm/dolby digital optical audio?
bill  Nov 30, 2014
2 answers
A
Not sure but it works well with my blu-ray player which is also NAD.
mourtalla g  Dec 02, 2014
A
Yes,my system connected with two optical and coaxial and it performs perfectly.
hoang  Dec 01, 2014

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