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

The new Arcam SA45 that’s coming out soon might be an option
Yeah, I've been wanting to see a photo of its rear panel, but haven't been able to find one yet.
 
Anyone else had problems with Dirac detecting the microphone? I’ve followed all the steps in the procedure - created profile, downloaded Dirac Live to both ipad and mac mini, attached dongle to M66 (which lights up green ) and mic to dongle. The M66 shows up in the Dirac app, but I get an error message that the NAD is not a recording device and that there is no microphone attached. Has this happened to anyone else? Screenshot from Dirac app below:

View attachment 387759

Yes this has also happened to me too. I already had a UMIK-1 so I used that while connected to my Macbook
 
M66 issue mentioned in a review from Darko audio about a different product:

"Cambridge Audio’s MXN10 is a streaming DAC that sells for €400. I was forced to connect it the NAD M66’s TOSLINK input after a BluOS firmware update took the NAD off my Google Home network, (almost) never to return. Neither a switch over to Ethernet nor several reboots could bring the M66 back permanently: it’d show up in the BluOS and Tidal apps for ten minutes only to disappear moments later. I didn’t have the time for network troubleshooting so the move to the MXN10 was solidified."

Full article here

Interestingly the last sentence was added after I read this story for the first time yesterday. Instead of the last sentence it originally just said "frustrating". In fairness Darko is now recognising it could be an issue with his network. So key question is to what extent do others have the issue described?

Is it safe to buy?

Separately could the mic connection issue be related be related to the mic corrections software download.
 
@katsu:
I don't have the issues Darko describes.

But is it safe to buy...?
No. Don't do it. Don't buy the NAD M66. Don't even think about it. Clear enough?

Of course, all is relative. The only thing convincing me is Dirac Live Bass Control with my special setup.
Nocko
 
Separately could the mic connection issue be related be related to the mic corrections software download.
No. NAD has confirmed, directly or through dealers, to several users on the forum (incl. me) that it is an issue with the Dirac iOS-app (see various posts above). It does not work, and there is no ETA for a fix. This is contrary to the information provided in the manual: «The M66 integrates Dirac Live Full Frequency and Dirac Live Bass Control. Connect the supplied calibrated microphone to the M66’s USB port and then launch the Dirac Live app on a smart device or personal computer.». If you look at the Scandinavian dealers webpage, Hifiklubben, there is even an M66 user review which references this feedback from NAD.
 
I quite enjoy the M66, yeah it's got some bugs and quirks I find annoying but I expect them to be fixed eventually since they're all software issues. I got a simple 2.1 setup with an M23 no HT system so I'm not missing any features. Dirac Live Bass Control is really good when paired with my acoustic panels.

I'm along for the ride I expect updates and buxfixes for years to come.

If you need HT bypass right now then yeah don't get it but if you got a basic setup you're good to go.
 
About the M66 mic bug, does everything work correctly if the mic is connected to the computer running Dirac instead of to the M66?
 
Yes, it should.
 
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About the M66 mic bug, does everything work correctly if the mic is connected to the computer running Dirac instead of to the M66?
That's how I used it.
 
Why shouldn't it be safe? If you don't like it, a serious dealer will take it back.
Hello Pogo,
I think at least here in the forum we should be honest and not spread any marketing nonsense.

My dealer is still willing to take the device back. I'm only keeping it (for now) because I personally get along very well with the sound of my speaker and subwoofer combination with DLBC. But I am on the verge to give up on the M66.

Objectively, I cannot recommend the device in good conscience and I see no reason to justify my purchase in any way. So let's look at what objective reasons it is not safe to buy an M66:

No dealer has to take back a device purchased in a store upon request unless this has been agreed upon in advance. At least this is likely to be the case here in Germany and in the European Union and probably worldwide. There are different rules if you bought the device online, but the risk that the retailer doesn't take the device back and has to be sued remains. In the same way, a retailer could temporarily disappear into bankruptcy.

That wouldn't be so bad if the device was good from a technical point of view. But it is not. This is what comes to mind when I think of my own device:

1. RS232 and TCP/IP control does not work.
2. The trigger inputs do not work.
3. The device forgets the source-specific screen saver settings (VU meter etc.) when it is unplugged.
4. When you wake up the device from "Deep Standby", the "Stream" is occasionally on "Pause", even if the selected source is an external digital input. The input signal is then blocked.
5. The device cannot (to put it simply) be switched on using the remote control.
Specifically: The M66 can only be switched on with the remote control if the “automatic power saving function” (= switching off after 15 minutes without an input signal) is activated. It says something different in the instructions for the remote control:
"Switch from low power standby mode (no display, NAD logo lit) to operating mode and vice versa."
The “low power standby mode” somehow doesn’t exist at all, only the “deep standby mode”. But I can't get into the alternative "Network Standby Mode" at all, or only if I allow the device to switch off after 15 minutes without an input signal (and the rest of the trigger-controlled system with it...). But I don't want that.
6. Contrary to the description in all instructions, the "Display" button on the remote control only dims the NAD logo, not the display.
7. For a Dirac measurement, the micro must be connected to the computer. If you connect the supplied micro to the M66, it will not be recognized in the Dirac software.
8. Much too loud switching-on crackling especially from the subwoofer after switching it back on from auto standby mode. That alone makes the auto standby mode unusable.
9. No update for three months to improve anything on the M66.
10. No support, neither from NAD nor from "BluOS"...

These were the first objective faults of the device that came to mind. I think for many of us one or two of the points above would be reason enough to return a M66. So why should it be safe to buy it...?
Nocko
 
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Could someone with a M66 and at least one subwoofer try this:

1. Connect an analog device, for me it was the XLR inputs.
2. Switch on “Analog Direct” in the source setup:
If you then turn Dirac on or off, nothing happens. That's alright, because Dirac works digitally and cannot/must not work with "Analog Direct" engaged.

But now leave "Analog Direct" switched on and select "Dirac off" (in the app).

Can you still change the crossover frequency, not just on and off, but in steps? Do you hear the difference?
If yes: How can that be when you supposedly have a purely analog signal path? Does the crossover work "pure analog"? Or did I not understand what "Analog Direct" means?

Thanks!
Nocko

P.S.: You'll notice that I'm becoming more and more suspicious the longer I spend time with the M66...
 
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How can that be when you supposedly have a purely analog signal path?
See also post #506. The main speakers path remains purely analog.
 
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No dealer has to take back a device purchased in a store upon request unless this has been agreed upon in advance.
If the device does not meet the promised/specified characteristics, a serious dealer will have to take the device back.
Btw. my M33 only ran to full satisfaction after approximately 2 years on the market and several updates. Updates are still available and more features will be added in the future.
 
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Offtopic: My M33 still has coil noise, a useless remote, and frequently HDMI CEC fails. Not to mention BluOS that is a disaster since V4. I only follow this thread to remind me to never buy NAD again. I still blame myself buying it after my comparably bad experience with the M32. The M66 seems to be the same.....how is this even possible after so many iterations? I would not touch it with a stick. My only concern is what to get when my M33 stops working as I do like the 1-box-does-all-concept, the looks and Dirac Live.
 
Offtopic: My M33 still has coil noise, a useless remote, and frequently HDMI CEC fails. Not to mention BluOS that is a disaster since V4. I only follow this thread to remind me to never buy NAD again. I still blame myself buying it after my comparably bad experience with the M32. The M66 seems to be the same.....how is this even possible after so many iterations? I would not touch it with a stick
...and I thought the M33 is flawless these days after a few years on the market. Thanks for your honesty.
Your post is not off-topic. It shows me that I should keep my eyes open for another preamp and not hoping for NAD.
 
This all seems a shame. My M66 + M23 has been working great for me, sorry others are not having the same experience. I had Dirac (+mic) set-up on my laptop and all worked fine - I was wondering about repeating with my umik mic. The remote has been great for my use case, I have not noticed any issues. Roon use is good, CD usage good, qobuz has been good as has connecting to my NAS. Unfortunately I don't have any subs, as I have Kef Reference 1 speakers which go pretty low, so, although I might like a couple of subs, I can't really justify.

I hope future updates sort the problems for people.
 
See also post #506. The main speakers path remains purely analog
Thanks Pogo - I see. Must have overread this. It is great that the subwoofers get a signal at all. Now I try to evaluate if there is a full bandwith signal to the subwoofers or if there is a cut-off. Might ask the NAD support...:rolleyes:o_O:mad:
 
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