Time – the essence of Master Fidelity’s philosophy and expertise – requires careful attention not only at signal generation, reception or conversion, but also, and crucially, during transmission.
Digital Signal Transmission
While digital audio transmission is inherently bit-perfect—ensuring data arrives intact and in sequence—the timing of that data can be affected by multiple factors including protocol limitations, physical layer behavior, and implementation quality. These variables can introduce jitter and wander, which in turn impact system performance.
Master Fidelity products operate within a tightly controlled time domain:
• NADAC D features a true 1-bit architecture requiring extremely precise clock alignment
• NADAC S utilizes a 10 MHz–driven motherboard for ultra-low jitter signal generation
• NADAC C provides the highest precision master clock reference in term of jitter and wander
Although the NADAC D incorporates a Clock Recovery module to compensate for incoming signal imperfections, and the NADAC S is designed to generate ultra-low jitter output, the connection between them, and from other USB source components, remains a critical point of vulnerability.
As a result, communication between these devices requires that timing integrity be carefully preserved to ensure that the inherent sound quality of each unit is maintained when integrated into a complete system.
Cables & Adapters
Master Fidelity’s USB cable solutions are the result of over two years of dedicated research and development, engineered as critical components within the NADAC ecosystem to preserve absolute timing integrity between source and destination. Available in USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C configurations, these interconnect solutions are developed to:
• Maintain extremely low jitter and wander during signal transmission
• Ensure stable performance at very high frequencies (up to and beyond 22.4 MHz)
• Preserve timing accuracy between NADAC components
• Enable compatibility with high-quality third-party USB cables without compromising system performance
These constraints were already identified during the design phase of the NADAC D, leading to the selection of a USB-C connector. This choice enables superior control of high-frequency behavior and jitter/wander performance compared to traditional USB-B interfaces.
However, to allow NADAC users to benefit from the wide range of well-designed cables available on the market, Master Fidelity also offers a USB-B to USB-C adapter. This adapter is engineered with the same level of precision and built according to the same principles as Master Fidelity cables.
USB-C to USB-C Cable
Specifically designed to connect NADAC S, or any Digital Source enjoying a USB-C output, to NADAC D
USB-A to USB-C Cable
Designed to connect any traditional USB Source having USB-A outputs to NADAC D
USB-B to USB-C Adapter
Designed for allowing any traditional USB-B ended Cables to connect directly to NADAC D
Specifications: The Five Critical Signal Vectors
Across all measured vectors, Master Fidelity USB cables dramatically outperform typical market tolerances, providing undeniable superior audio transmission. This is expressed through Five Critical Signal Vectors:
• The Attenuation @ 200MHz
• The Delay
• The Intra-Pair Skew
• The Eye Width
• The Eye Height
Attenuation: Near Zero Signal Loss guarantees maximum Source Fidelity
Attenuation measures the degradation of signal strength as it travels through the cables. Master Fidelity cables exhibit exceptionally low attenuation, ensuring the original audio source reaches the DAC with absolute maximum fidelity.
Propagation Delay: Flawless Temporal Synchronization eliminates Digital Jitter
Lower Propagation Delay ensures rapid data transfer. More crucially, near-zero Intra-Pair Skew virtually eliminates signal misalignment, neutralizing the primary source of digital timing errors and jitter.
Eye Width & Height: Maximum Signal Margins immunize Audio against Noise
In digital transmission higher Eye Width and Height represent a cleaner, more robust digital signal. The expanded eye pattern of the Master Fidelity USB cables give a massive margin against noise, resulting in flawlessly preserved audio data.
Specifications: The Verdict
Master Fidelity USB cables superiority does not rely on subjective claims. With minimal attenuation, razor-sharp timing and an expanded signal eye, they provide a mathematically verifiable foundation for high-end audio transmission.
