NAD Electronics, the renowned manufacturer of high-performance audio and video components, announces the Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC preamp before it goes on sale at High End Munich. The M66 is an uncompromising component that is so advanced that it represents a whole new category of hi-fi component. In addition to an audiophile DAC and a network streamer based on the renowned multiroom music platform BluOS, the M66 features a wide range of inputs including MM/MC phono and HDMI eARC. The M66 also features Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control, enabling it to deliver more accurate spatial reproduction than any other two-channel component ever offered.

The processing quality is excellent. With its aluminum body, brilliant 7″ touchscreen and smooth volume control, the M66 will continue to inspire for decades to come. Visually, sonically and technologically it is a perfect complement to NAD's award-winning M23 power amplifier. But of course the M66 can also be paired with any other high-performance amplifier.

Demonstrations of the NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC Preamplifier will be held for the first time at High End Munich in Room D108 in Atrium 3. It will be available worldwide this fall at a suggested retail price of US$5.499 / £4.499 / €5.999 / CDN$7.299.

A WORLD FULL OF MUSIC

Equipped with a network streamer based on the renowned BluOS multi-room music management system, the M66 offers access to almost all music ever recorded, in a resolution of up to 24-bit/192kHz. Like all BluOS-enabled components, the M66 has full MQA decoding and rendering capability. The intuitive BluOS Controller app, available for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, offers built-in support for more than 20 streaming services, including several that offer lossless and high-resolution music. BluOS users can also access thousands of Internet radio stations and play music stored on local or network drives.

share the music

With the M66, users can play music in just one room or share music over a home network with up to 63 other BluOS-enabled components from NAD and other hardware partners. The M66 can also be integrated into control systems from smart home specialists such as Control4, Crestron, ELAN, RTI and URC. In addition, users can control playback by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri.

TUNING THE SPACE

With Dirac Live room correction, the M66 allows the user to correct the weakest link in any audio system: the listening room itself. Plug the supplied calibrated microphone into the M66's USB port and launch the Dirac Live app on a smart device or a PC. After playing test tones through the listener's speakers, Dirac analyzes the results and then loads filters into the M66 that compensate for common acoustic problems such as standing waves and unwanted reflections. The result is drastic: the listener enjoys tighter bass, improved sound fidelity and significantly improved sound quality.

All about the bass

For the first time in a stereo component, the M66 features four balanced (XLR) and four unbalanced (RCA) subwoofer outputs and integrates the full version of Dirac Live Bass Control, allowing independent calibration of multiple subwoofers. Dirac Live Bass Control optimizes bass response in both the frequency and time domains, ensuring seamless interaction between the main speakers and subwoofer(s). The listener enjoys even, consistent low-frequency reproduction throughout the listening room, not just in the sweet spot.

TOP PERFORMANCE

The M66's digital section employs ESS Technology's flagship ES9038PRO Saber DAC, an audiophile-grade design renowned for its ultra-low noise and distortion, exceptionally wide dynamic range and superb time-domain performance.

For volume control, the M66 uses a high-precision resistor cascade circuit. Compared to traditional analog circuitry, the M66's digital volume control significantly reduces thermal and associated distortion, maximizes dynamic range and provides more precise left and right channel matching across the volume range.

The M66 is the first component to feature NAD's innovative Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH) circuitry. When activated with a control in the BluOS app, DDH eliminates digital inter-sample peak clipping distortion that can occur during digital-to-analog conversion of sudden high-frequency transients. The advantages are particularly obvious with percussion instruments: cymbals appear less lively and more realistic, rim shots are less shrill and more impressive.

Pure analog

To enable features such as Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control with all signal sources, analogue signals are converted to digital signals using ESS Technology's flagship ES9822PRO ADC. However, the M66 has a selectable Analog Direct mode that bypasses all digital processing. The M66 features separate signal paths for digital and analog sources, as well as separate power supplies for the digital and analog sections, so analog signals are not affected by digital interference when Analog Direct mode is engaged. The user can even disable the M66's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuitry to minimize RF interference.

CONNECT EVERYTHING

With its full range of analog and digital inputs, the M66 can accommodate any source component the user may have. For vinyl lovers, there's an ultra-low-noise MM/MC phono stage with precise RIAA equalization, high headroom, and innovative circuitry that removes infrasonic noise without affecting bass response. For TV and film playback, the M66 has an HDMI eARC interface for connection to an HDTV. In addition, the M66 features two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF inputs, one balanced AES/EBU digital input, two analog RCA inputs and a pair of balanced XLR inputs.

exit options

The M66 features balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs for connection to a power amplifier, as well as four XLR and four RCA subwoofer outputs. The dedicated headphone amplifier has a very low output impedance and a very high maximum output voltage, so that the M66 can also drive demanding high-impedance studio monitor headphones. The M66 also features Bluetooth connectivity with support for AAC, LDAC and aptX HD codecs.

A TIMELESS MASTERPIECE

The rear of the M66 features two expansion slots that support MDC2, the latest version of NAD's future-proof Modular Design Construction technology. This allows M66 owners to add new features in the future simply by inserting an optional MDC2 module.

Everything about the NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC Preamplifier will make owners proud: its sleek aluminum body, beautiful front panel touchscreen, and ultra-precise weighted volume control.

With features like BluOS Streaming, Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control, the Masters M66 is a true masterpiece of sound. “We believe that the M66 represents the pinnacle of what is technically possible today. And thanks to NAD's future-proof MDC2 platform, the M66 will remain at the forefront as technology advances."

Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager at NAD Electronics

Features and Details*

• Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks
• BluOS Network Streamer offers access to over 20 streaming services, including several that deliver lossless and high-resolution audio
• ESS Saber flagship DAC and ADC chips
• Innovative Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH) circuitry eliminates digital inter-sample peak clipping distortion
• Full MQA hardware decoding and playback
• Optional analog bypass mode
• Separate signal paths for digital and analogue sources; separate power supplies for digital and analogue sections
• Support for Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
• Seamless integration with smart home control systems such as Crestron, Control4, ELAN, RTI, URC and others
• Voice control with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri
• Dirac Live room correction
• Four balanced and four unbalanced subwoofer outputs
• Dirac Live Bass Control allows for a seamless blending between subwoofer(s) and main speakers, and consistent bass response throughout the listening area
• Ultra-quiet MM/MC phono stage with precise RIAA equalization, high headroom and infrasonic filter
• HDMI port with eARC support
• Two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF inputs, one balanced AES/EBU digital input, two pairs of line level RCA analog inputs, one pair of balanced XLR inputs
• Dedicated headphone amplifier with low output impedance and very high output voltage
• Ultra-precise digital volume control with resistance sequence
• 7″ touchscreen on the front
• Elegant aluminum housing
• Two MDC2 expansion slots to add future features
• IR remote control
  *All features and details listed are preliminary