NAD Master Series M66 - Streamer / DAC / preamp - Any initial thoughts?

[Hear Here]

Just announced from those clever guys at NAD is the Master Series M66 that combines streamer with ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC and preamp with a seemingly very sophisticated volume control.

Lots of other interesting features such as separate MM and MC inputs (that seem to be optionally digitised or kept analogue*), 4 sub outs, full-range Dirac Live, Dirac Live Bass Control (I've not heard of this technology before), headphone amp, HDMI eARC to allow TV sound to the unit, but also sends the album artwork to your TV screen.

A pretty full package of features for a sensible price. Includes MQA for what that's now worth, Roon Ready (not necessary with NAD's excellent BluOS control app), but no USB input to allow DSD signals. A USB module can be added but I understand this merely converts DSD to PCM.

It's certainly tweaked my interest! What do others think?

* PS - "However, the M66 has a selectable Analogue Direct mode that bypasses all digital processing. The M66 has separate signal paths for digital and analogue sources, and separate power supplies for the digital and analogue sections, so that analogue signals are unaffected by digital interference when the Analogue Direct mode is engaged. Users can even disable the M66’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuitry to minimize RF interference."


M66 - NAD Electronics

 

[Feanor]

Just announced from those clever guys at NAD is the Master Series M66 that combines streamer with ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC and preamp with a seemingly very sophisticated volume control.

Lots of other interesting features such as separate MM and MC inputs (that seem to be optionally digitised or kept analogue*), 4 sub outs, full-range Dirac Live, Dirac Live Bass Control (I've not heard of this technology before), headphone amp, HDMI eARC to allow TV sound to the unit, but also sends the album artwork to your TV screen.

A pretty full package of features for a sensible price. Includes MQA for what that's now worth, Roon Ready (not necessary with NAD's excellent BluOS control app), but no USB input to allow DSD signals. A USB module can be added but I understand this merely converts DSD to PCM.

It's certainly tweaked my interest! What do others think?

* PS - "However, the M66 has a selectable Analogue Direct mode that bypasses all digital processing. The M66 has separate signal paths for digital and analogue sources, and separate power supplies for the digital and analogue sections, so that analogue signals are unaffected by digital interference when the Analogue Direct mode is engaged. Users can even disable the M66’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuitry to minimize RF interference."


M66 - NAD Electronics

I'm wondering, is this basically the NAD M33 split in two, (M66 + M23), for extra money?

 

[Hear Here]

I'm wondering, is this basically the NAD M33 split in two, (M66 + M23), for extra money?

Hi Feanor

No, I don't think so. There are significant areas where the M66 offers superior quality over the excellent all-in-one M33.

The DAC is the 9038 version, whereas the M33 uses the 9028. Not being a DAC expert I don't know the difference in practice, but ESS is possibly the highest regarded DAC specialist and the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO is their top DAC I believe.

The installed Dirac Live is the full frequency range version, rather than the sub-200 Hz version in the M33

M66 includes Dirac Live Bass Control (not in M33) - designed to add time alignment, or something more complex than I can be expected tounderstand! Apparently a worthwhile new feature

Sub Outs are balanced and single ended and for those with up to 4 subs, outlets for each are provided.

For those with 2 record players (not me and probably not many owners), there are separate MM and MC inputs. Also possibly of more interest to analogue users, the M66 includes a selectable analogue mode that can bypass all digital processing, and separate signal paths and power supplies for digital and analogue - so no ADC DAC processing of analogue inputs.

Although it's the same price as the M33, NAD seems to have taken a further step upmarket with the M66 and it allows those who prefer to choose their own power amps the opportunity to do so via its balanced (not on M33) or single ended outputs.

I have the M33 and am very happy with it. Recently I've been looking at possible upgrades that I know will be 2-box rather than a single box (justified to get best performance from my disproportionately expensive speakers), but I've been hard pressed to find any solution less that about £10K - and that's without Roon which most high end streamers need as their own apps are so unsatisfactory. Innuous offer a good app, though they don't offer a unit that includes DAC and preamp. This means 2 remotes (or apps) to control choice of music (streamer app) and volume (amp RC) - pain in arse!

The app supplied with all NAD streamers is almost as good as Roon (and free from extra hardware and subscription) and this is something I like about BluOS-controlled streamers. The app is available for Android, iPad, Windows, Mac and Kindle, plus you can shout your instructions if you have Alexa or Google equivalent - but it's also Roon Ready for those who want it.

I’m seriously considering the M66 feeding perhaps Ralph’s Atma-Sphere Class D mono amps. I only need a few watts and this upgrade may be well justified. Any other ideas to upgrade my system very welcome

NAD’s Press Release here - NAD announces Masters M66 streaming DAC/pre-amplifier | Darko.Audio

PS - A feature I really like about both the M33 and M66 is the HDMI out so that album artwork, sound quality and track timing can be sent to your TV screen.

 

[Mr Peabody]

Sounds like the M66 & Atmosphere might be a good combo but sort of veers from your everything in the speaker sermon.

Hi Feanor

No, I don't think so. There are significant areas where the M66 offers superior quality over the excellent all-in-one M33.

The DAC is the 9038 version, whereas the M33 uses the 9028. Not being a DAC expert I don't know the difference in practice, but ESS is possibly the highest regarded DAC specialist and the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO is their top DAC I believe.

The installed Dirac Live is the full frequency range version, rather than the sub-200 Hz version in the M33

M66 includes Dirac Live Bass Control (not in M33) - designed to add time alignment, or something more complex than I can be expected tounderstand! Apparently a worthwhile new feature

Sub Outs are balanced and single ended and for those with up to 4 subs, outlets for each are provided.

For those with 2 record players (not me and probably not many owners), there are separate MM and MC inputs.

Although it's the same price as the M33, NAD seems to have taken a further step upmarket with the M66 and it allows those who prefer to choose their own power amps the opportunity to do so via its balanced (not on M33) or single ended outputs.

I have the M33 and am very happy with it. Recently I've been looking at possible upgrades that I know will be 2-box rather than a single box (justified to get best performance from my disproportionately expensive speakers), but I've been hard pressed to find any solution less that about £10K - and that's without Roon which most high end streamers need as their own apps are so unsatisfactory. Innuous offer a good app, though they don't offer a unit that includes DAC and preamp. This means 2 remotes (or apps) to control choice of music (streamer app) and volume (amp RC) - pain in arse!

The app supplied with all NAD streamers is almost as good as Roon (and free from extra hardware and subscription) and this is something I like about BluOS-controlled streamers. The app is available for Android, iPad, Windows, Mac and Kindle, plus you can shout your instructions if you have Alexa or Google equivalent - but it's also Roon Ready for those who want it.

I’m seriously considering the M66 feeding perhaps Ralph’s Atma-Sphere Class D mono amps. I only need a few watts and this upgrade may be well justified. Any other ideas to upgrade my system very welcome

NAD’s Press Release here - NAD announces Masters M66 streaming DAC/pre-amplifier | Darko.Audio

PS - A feature I really like about both the M33 and M66 is the HDMI out so that album artwork, sound quality and track timing can be sent to your TV screen.

 

[Hear Here]

Sounds like the M66 & Atmosphere might be a good combo but sort of veers from your everything in the speaker sermon.

Ah, not so! If I could afford the new fully-active Avantgarde Duo GT (once the streamer module is available), that's what I'd probably go for.

With shortage of those funds, then I'd look for the best electronics (within reason) for digital-only listening to feed my hybrid (active bass) Duo XDs. With the announcement of the M66, this looks like a serious contender with a suitable power amp - perhaps Ralph's Class D Monos.

 

[Hear Here]

I'm wondering, is this basically the NAD M33 split in two, (M66 + M23), for extra money?

No - If you read the description on NAD's site and the Press Release, you'll see lots of enhancements. Better DAC (top ESS Sabre), direct route for analogue (no ADC > DAC), full range Dirac Live (not just below 200 Hz), addition of Dirac Live Bass Control (whatever that is), very accurate RIAA, 4 Sub outs via XLR or single ended, etc.

I have the M33 and am very impressed by it, but I recognise the M66 as a worthwhile upgrade path. I'd not use it with the NAD M23 power amp as this strikes me as poor value compared with the M33. I'd probably look towards the Atma-Sphere Class D mono amps that use GaN FETs

NAD Press Release - NAD announces Masters M66 streaming DAC/pre-amplifier | Darko.Audio Peter

 

[Hear Here]

I'm wondering, is this basically the NAD M33 split in two, (M66 + M23), for extra money?

PS - If looking for "a NAD M33 split in two", there's the M12 (plus BluOS module) + M23. That would be more accurate to the M33 in 2 boxes. Peter