NAD M66 - finally someone makes a decent 2-channel preamp!

[Nocko!]

Obviously I made things too complicated - sorry for that.

But for now I see no option for the simple task to setup an initial volume per input. Perhaps someone who really owns a M66 can help.

To be a little dissolute:
As far as I can see, BlueOS is NOT the M66. It is an add-on I don't need. I own a NAD M17 V2. The BlueOS add-on is realised by a simple USB-Hub and a few dongles. Disconnecting the hub doesn't change anything regarding the setup and use of the M17. There are no settings I can make with the BlueOS app that are not integrated into the M17 itself. As long as I don't want to use BlueOS as a source I don't need it. And that's good.

I understand BlueOS as a system like Roon or Squeezeserver or Loxone or MusicCast. Looking at the poor capabilities of BlueOS for listening to music I will keep going on using Squeezeserver / LMS forever.

So I doubt that BlueOS and the app will help anyone who seriously wants to use the M66 as a stand-alone preamp. Apps die like flies, I hope the M66 doesn't...

Looking at the BlueOS API there is nothing that points in another direction. Of course I didn't read the whole API but it unfortunatly states:
"Presets must be added and deleted using the BluOS Controller app"

So what a horror. Do I really need the BlueOS controller app to make basic settings? Really? So I can - for example - call the optical input "TV" using the menu of the M66 but when it comes to set an initial input volume (or a Dirac slot or something else) I need an app?

Again: Perhaps someone who really owns a M66 can help.

1. Is there a way to set a predefined volume when switching to an input?
2. Is there a way to set a predefined volume when switching to an input using the BlueOS control app?

Sorry for being boring...
Nocko!

 

[markrubin]

So at those who already own a M66: Is there a way to set a predefined volume when switching to an input?

other than using the presets, no, unless you send a separate command or use an app
worse, the M66 does not allow for input trims to help balance volume levels between sources, unless you use the app
Don't get me wrong: I like the M66: it has a lot of potential: I am hoping these are just oversights that will be addressed in new firmware

 

[pogo]

I don't see a problem here at the moment and it won't be one in the future either

 

[Nocko!]

Thank you markrubin!
Your help is very appreciated. Here in Germany you can't buy the M66 yet...
I really like the concept of a stereo preamp with Dirac. And I like the look of the M66. I could get rid off my miniDSP and my old (but beloved analog) preamp. But I don't believe in NAD to submit missing functions later.
And I fear, the option to use presets or to configure the source selection in my automation system to bind a predefined volume to a source is by far not bulletproof. As soon as someone changes the input from the "virtual" home cinema input to another source the volume will stay at 100% / 0dB. Its a shame but this is reason enough for me to avoid the M66.
Missing such basic functions in a preamp is - from my point of view - a sign of a bad design from the scratch.

 

[danielsmi]

My M66 arrived today. I'm doing initial setup. This is my first time with BluOS and Dirac so I may be making some noob mistakes.

However, I'm following instructions from NAD's Dirac setup video and it says to plugin the included NAD mic to the usb port on the back of the M66, switch input to Line 1 and then choose the M66 in the DIRAC app. When I do that it doesn't detect the NAD mic plugged into the back of the M66. If I plug the NAD mic into my Macbook it shows up fine but I'm getting low signal to noise errors even though everything is turned off in my house, AC, fridge, fans, etc.

 

[danielsmi]

Missing such basic functions in a preamp is - from my point of view - a sign of a bad design from the scratch.

This modern life now in the digital age. Updates are a double-edged sword, it allows a product to get better over time, and also allows them to release an incomplete prouct so they can start selling sooner.

This is very common in video games where at launch the game is very buggy and it takes a few months or longer to fix the game to a decently playable state. See Cyberpunk 2077 or basically any popular game, they all do it. Tesla Cybertruck was released incomplete, they've added some features recently but got more to go. When Apple announces their new iOS there's always a few features that aren't available on launch day and will take 3-6 months to be available.

 

[danielsmi]

My M66 arrived today. I'm doing initial setup. This is my first time with BluOS and Dirac so I may be making some noob mistakes.

However, I'm following instructions from NAD's Dirac setup video and it says to plugin the included NAD mic to the usb port on the back of the M66, switch input to Line 1 and then choose the M66 in the DIRAC app. When I do that it doesn't detect the NAD mic plugged into the back of the M66. If I plug the NAD mic into my Macbook it shows up fine but I'm getting low signal to noise errors even though everything is turned off in my house, AC, fridge, fans, etc.

I fixed this. DIRAC didn't have permission to access my mic in macOS settings. I guess make sure the mic is plugged in before launching DIRAC otherwise you won't get the alert and you'll have to restart the app.

 

[mags65]

I fixed this. DIRAC didn't have permission to access my mic in macOS settings. I guess make sure the mic is plugged in before launching DIRAC otherwise you won't get the alert and you'll have to restart the app.

A practical question re. setup: can you run Dirac and control the M66 from any PC/Mac in your house as long as they (M66 and PC/Mac) are on the same home network?

 

[danielsmi]

Yes

 

[Nocko!]

This modern life now in the digital age.

Perhaps you are right, but Tesla and Apple aren't NAD. I've begged them a few times in the last four years to make it possible to switch off the display of my NAD surround preamp, because the light is quite distractive in a darkened home cinema. They always answered:
"...however, rest assured that we will forward this request to our Quality Assurance Team and the NAD Development Lab for their consideration as a future update. We are constantly working to improve the experience based on customer feedback and sincerely appreciate it..."

So I rest assured that nothing will ever happen.

If they had answered that this function will never come or that it is not possible to switch off the display for technical reasons, I could live with it. Nobody is perfect. But I don't like their marketing policy . The M66 was announced back in May '23 and still you can't buy it here in Germany, still the device seems to be far from perfect.

It is not that I don't like NAD. It would be great if I could integrate the M66 in my setup. But I am very, very sure that NAD will do absolutely nothing in regards of new functions in the future, except Dirac Live Bass Control, which they are obliged to. Hope, I am wrong...

 

[pogo]

 

[mags65]

Not available anytime soon? Had hoped to audition at Hifiklubben, the Scandinavian NAD-distributor, as it was slated to be available this Saturday (May 25th). Now the expected «in stock» date has been moved to October 31st….

 

[Nocko!]

Exactly the same here in Germany - very, very disappointing...!

 

[Cpopovic]

Available in Switzerland https://www.mueller-spring.ch/hifi/vorstufen/nad-m66-silver-black

 

[Waxx]

It should be availeble in short term (a few weeks) says a major hi end shop in Belgium. But i don't know if that is really true. An other shop claims to have them in stock in a few days...

But on international sites i also see them in backorder, with various lead times, from a few weeks to a year.

 

[Hephaestus]

Interesting to see that the sales have been halted for this unit in several markets. Not surprising though due to state of software. I have found some more bugs and reported them to NAD:

New bugs:
-When device wakes from standby it remembers previous volume level but does not report this correctly to the controller app. This results big jump in volume when adjusted up or down. Very annoying. Nad engineering is working for a fix.
-VU meters do not work when sending bluetooth audio to the device. Reported this few days ago. Support was not aware of this problem - but now they are.

Old findings:
-Dirac filter name change after old filter has been overwritten, requires full reboot to update on device display. (Reported)
-Input gain trims missing (Reported)
-Lowest dim setting for the display is disturbingly bright and exhibits disgusting LCD edge light leak due to low assembly quality. (Reported and bought display dimming film for immediate remedy - and it really works!)
-No input signal sensing (someone in reddit claimed that NAD had promised this to come as an update...)
-HT bypass is missing (Not important for me but I understood this is a promised feature)

Despite the crap above I have been very pleased with the unit. It is easy to use, has been rock solid stabilitywise, snappy operation and sound is fully transparent.

 

[mags65]

Sounds like you have paid to betatest!

 

[Hoeksel]

Sounds like you have paid to betatest!

Indeed. I made that mistake already for the M32 and M33, not going to do that for a third time.

 

[mags65]

And suddenly its available for purchase!

 

[Nocko!]

Exactly the same here in Germany - very, very interesting...
Could someone please send his M66 to Amir...