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

[tonapo]

I would always demo if you can, in your own home ideally. Dirac has been fine for me, but you might want to try it and all the other various features prior to buying.

 

[Stefano]

I would always demo if you can, in your own home ideally. Dirac has been fine for me, but you might want to try it and all the other various features prior to buying.

I use Dirac since 2019, this is not the point, reading so many softare issues on the unit my question is: is the unit ready to manage a 2.2 system?
Thank you.

 

[Nocko!]

@Stefano
I'm probably one of the biggest and loudest critics of the M66 here.
What bothers me the most is that they have promised functions that I need and that NAD is wasting an incredible amount of potential because they are too stupid to deliver proper firmware. So most of what I write is out of disappointment and feeling betrayed.
In addition, I don't believe that NAD will fix any significant errors or add functions. An M66 V2 is probably already being worked on behind the scenes...

I assume you have read the entire thread here. You also know the M33 (unlike me). If operation and special functions are not really important to you, but mainly the sound and you intend to use DLBC, then you can trade in your M33 and get the M66. Regardless of the price/performance ratio, I find Dirac Live Bass Control to be a significant improvement with two full-range speakers and two additional subwoofers. If you don't want to use Dirac, there's no point in buying the M66. The best thing to do is to negotiate a return option with your dealer.
Nocko!

Edit: Sorry, didn't read your last post - yes: The M66 can manage a 2.2 setup.

 

[Nocko!]

Does anyone know whether the measurements published here can be trusted?

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...atid=433:preamplifier-measurements&Itemid=142

Cpopovic had already linked to the "test", but it is superficial as always... just paid advertising. So I don't know whether you can trust the published, fairly decent measurement results. I don't trust anyone regarding NAD...
Nocko!

 

[pogo]

I've the possibility to trade in my M33 for a M66 (i own a separate power amp), i don't care about HT bypass. Do you recommend that I get this unit, or is it better to wait?

How does your separate power amp sound on the M33 in preamp mode compared to the M33 with the 'improved' 1ET400A?

 

[Mike-48]

Does anyone know whether the measurements published here can be trusted?

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...atid=433:preamplifier-measurements&Itemid=142

I trust measurements from the Soundstage Network. They have been doing this for a long time.

 

[katsu]

For those that only have two subwoofers, I wonder how much benefit the m66 provides over the M10 V3 when used as a pre amp given that it now has DLBC and MM Phono Stage.

 

[pogo]

it now has DLBC

That is not quite correct.
DLBC will probably be available towards the end of the year. This could also be the time for the M33.
If DLART were then rolled out next year, we would have arrived

 

[pogo]

BluOS 4.6.6
Released September 30, 2024
• Improvements to Standby and Trigger In on the M66
• Auto Sense support for the M66
• This release applies to the NAD M66 only.

 

[Cpopovic]

BluOS 4.6.6
Released September 30, 2024
• Improvements to Standby and Trigger In on the M66
• Auto Sense support for the M66
• This release applies to the NAD M66 only.

Allelujah

 

[Nocko!]

Just a quick response:
Didn't test the Trigger In "improvement" - at the moment I have no device that could trigger the M66.

"Auto Sense": This option doesn't make any sense for me, because I realized a crippled "Home Theater Bypass" with a preset. Any auto-switching to an active input while the preamp is set to full volume would kill my speakers (again). NAD should give up the idea of "Presets" and should assign functions (like Auto Sense, Dirac Slot and so on) to inputs only or vice versa.

So for now I see no improvement at all. Perhaps someone can show me what is "improved"...
Nocko!

 

[pogo]

Any auto-switching to an active input while the preamp is set to full volume would kill my speakers (again).

You would first have to activate the Auto-Sense function on the device for the respective input source. At least this is the case with the M33.

 

[danielsmi]

What’s changed with this auto sense update? I don’t notice anything different with hdmi earc

 

[Hephaestus]

What’s changed with this auto sense update? I don’t notice anything different with hdmi earc

Option to enable Auto Sense for following inputs:
Optical 1 & 2
Coaxial 1 & 2
AES/EBU
Line 1 & 2

Could not test it though as I do not have anything connected in the above mentioned inputs.
M66 waking from standby is still slow with relay clicks. This was so stupid move from NAD. Initial standby was a joy to use, quick and silent. Now there is basically two different slow standby options + complete power off.

FOR CLARIFICATION:
No, there is no Auto Sense option for HDMI input. Only for the previously mentioned inputs.

 

[pogo]

Is there (still) no sense function for the (e)ARC as with the M33?:

 

[danielsmi]

Nope I see it on the other inputs but not HDMI