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

[pogo]

Maybe T+A R 1200 E

 

[kseth78]

Hey everyone, I’m new to the ASR forum but I’ve been lurking for awhile. I received my M66 back in March, and like others, I’ve been dealing with software issues, mainly with the HDMI implementation and amp standby issues.

The newest update (4.6.6) didn’t fix much with that, but other inputs did get auto sense which works fine.

I filed a support ticket but was essentially told 4.6.6 update didn’t include HDMI, and that HDMI support request will be passed on to the engineering team for future consideration.

I filed another ticket for the standby issues - my connected M23 cannot be put into standby mode, it always lights back up white when I touch the top panel power input. Even if the M66 itself is in standby. The M23 only stays in standby if the M66 is completely powered off. Only connected via balanced outs/ins. Haven’t heard back yet.

Other than the HDMI/standy woes, the units been amazing. Was looking into 12v triggers, but haven’t tried yet.

Edit: for context I was running the M66 as a preamp exclusively into powered LS50WIIs. Originally picked up the m66 as I had been in the market for dlbc. My hifi system is 60% music 40% ht, stereo + 2 subs.

That did wonders and eventually upgraded to passives and m23 to pair w/ it five months later in August of this year - this is when I first noticed the m66+m23 standby issue obviously

 

[Nocko!]

@kseth78:
Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I can't help because I don't use NAD power amplifiers. But interesting to know that there are still more faults than I have already found...

The M66 sounds great when using it with DLBC but your mail encourages me to give the M66 back. The software and the support is so superficial that it no longer makes sense to wait and that it will probably get worse the longer and more intensively I use the device.

But how do you exactly manage your home cinema with the M66 in between and the two subs? Can your surround processor handle the 50ms delay that appears when you use "BlueOS" and let the analog input of the M66 digitize your fronts?
Nocko!

 

[canjondo]

kseth78: I also have an m66 connected to an m23. For your stand-by issue, try connecting via triggers. Works great. I have the m66 trigger-out connected to the m23 trigger-in. When the m66 goes into auto standby so does the m23, immediately, and vice-versa, when I "wake-up" the m66, which I usually do by tapping on the screen, the m23 wakes-up too, ready to go.

 

[kseth78]

@kseth78:
Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I can't help because I don't use NAD power amplifiers. But interesting to know that there are still more faults than I have already found...

The M66 sounds great when using it with DLBC but your mail encourages me to give the M66 back. The software and the support is so superficial that it no longer makes sense to wait and that it will probably get worse the longer and more intensively I use the device.

But how do you exactly manage your home cinema with the M66 in between and the two subs? Can your surround processor handle the 50ms delay that appears when you use "BlueOS" and let the analog input of the M66 digitize your fronts?
Nocko!

sorry when I said home theater, I meant using it for tv/movies/gaming in stereo with 2 subs connected via the M66. No AVR or other surrounds in the system.

Honestly although the 4.6.6 update didn’t fix everything, auto sense has been nice for the coax inputs. I use Apple Music so it’s usually a combo of airplay2 from my iPhone, hdmi via Apple TV 4K, or coax connected to an ipad via a usb to spdif converter - depending on how critically I’m listening or how lazy I feel when trying to play music haha.

Hopefully a 4.6.7 update addresses hdmi, but progress so far has me at least a bit hopeful that it’ll be resolved. Although it was funny when BluOS support themselves didn’t realize that HDMI didn’t include auto sense in my support ticket.

 

[kseth78]

kseth78: I also have an m66 connected to an m23. For your stand-by issue, try connecting via triggers. Works great. I have the m66 trigger-out connected to the m23 trigger-in. When the m66 goes into auto standby so does the m23, immediately, and vice-versa, when I "wake-up" the m66, which I usually do by tapping on the screen, the m23 wakes-up too, ready to go.

That’s great to hear! I’ll try this out soon

 

[Nocko!]

So, here I go...

The number of errors, NAD's inaction, the awful "BluOS nonsense" and ultimately the realization that the M66 is a faulty design from the scratch and a technical one-way street finally made me give the M66 away. It's on its way back to the dealer and a replacement is on the way.

NAD should learn that high end (a good hi-fi product) is not just about a nice enclosure, a bunch of buzzwords spread by willing influencers and a high price.

I should have learned not to trust the many buzzwords spread by willing influencers and other shady people who claim to have “tested” something that in reality doesn’t work. The only honesty I found about the M66 was here.

So I wish all M66 owners good luck and fun with their devices and at the same time I strongly advise anyone interested not to purchase one. I say goodbye to this thread and thank you for your help!
Nocko!

 

[da Choge]

The number of errors, NAD's inaction, the awful "BluOS nonsense" and ultimately the realization that the M66 is a faulty design from the scratch and a technical one-way street finally made me give the M66 away. It's on its way back to the dealer and a replacement is on the way.

Sorry to hear that, but I understand. What is the replacement? I don't think I will ultimately choose the M66 either; too much of a gamble to hope that it will finally include, or correct, the features I want and need. Just wish Arcam would make a streaming preamp, similar to its new Arcam SA45, but with 4 sub-outs to accommodate DLBC. As of now, the Arcam SA45 is probably what I will settle on when it is finally available; that will save me from having to buy an outboard amp for the time being (was probably going to be the Apollon hypex NCX500 Lux Dual Mono Stereo amp).

 

[Nocko!]

I've ordered a Stormaudio ISP Core 16. Although I prefer stereo over surround by far I realized that I need a decent, trustworthy bass management and something that is "transparent" from a technical point of view and no more marketing blabla.

A few years ago I had an Arcam Surround processor for a few weeks. It wasn't really ready for the market. Be careful.
Nocko!

 

[markrubin]

^^
Good luck with the Storm Audio unit: that is a serious piece of gear

 

[da Choge]

A few years ago I had an Arcam Surround processor for a few weeks. It wasn't really ready for the market. Be careful.

I think Arcam AVRs, in the past, have always been problematic (much like NAD's ). I don't know if their new ones are any better, but I'm very happy with my current AVRs (Denon A110 & Marantz SR8015). The Arcam SA45 is a newly designed stereo integrated streaming amp that seems to have very good audio performance (if we can trust Arcam's reported specs). Time will tell if it's functionally reliable. Hope the Storm does the job you're looking for.

 

[pogo]

I've ordered a Stormaudio ISP Core 16.

Why didn't you choose the Marantz AV10, which I suggested?

 

[Nocko!]

Why didn't you choose the Marantz AV10, which I suggested?

Sorry, dumb answer: I don‘t really like Marantz, I don‘t like the design and if there is the option, I try to avoid mass market products.
From a technical point of view: Compare the options, settings and the API of a Stormaudio with an AV10. Considering the difference in price a comparison isn‘t fair.
Also I didn‘t want to wait again if and when there will be Dirac ART for the Marantz. Also Marantz / Denon are not really known for upgrades with new features. A mass manufacturer like Marantz/Denon is more interested in new devices to sell more units in the long run while Stormaudio or Trinnov also have to take the needs of professional installers into account.

Looking at Stormaudio, the Core 16 in it‘s first edition already had implemented all I need. While struggling with the M66 there were upgrades for different display colors, a center shift option and a really interesting option implementing different Dirac curves for different volumes (something like an adjustable loudness option).

I don‘t know if the Storm is soundwise better than a Marantz or the NAD M66. Perhaps I will be overwhelmed by its options, perhaps I will be disappointed by the sound but I had to made a decision…

But you are right: Considering the price the AV10 would be logical…
Nocko!

 

[GXAlan]

NAD M66 streaming preamplifier

In my early years in audio, I witnessed the rise and fall of the AM-FM receiver, first in vacuum tube mono and later in solid state stereo. Some of them grew to be behemoths, supporting multiple inputs, equalizers, dual speaker zones, and powerful amplifiers. When radio sources receded in...

www.stereophile.com

Measures very well.

 

[pogo]

Typo or not (beta tester?):
With the M66 and DiracLive ART running the Blade Two Metas and the two KC92 subwoofers, that opening was powerful and startling.
Unfortunately, there is no measurement showing that Dirac Live operates @192kHz.

 

[ZCD]

NAD M66 streaming preamplifier

In my early years in audio, I witnessed the rise and fall of the AM-FM receiver, first in vacuum tube mono and later in solid state stereo. Some of them grew to be behemoths, supporting multiple inputs, equalizers, dual speaker zones, and powerful amplifiers. When radio sources receded in...

www.stereophile.com

Measures very well.

I can hear all the magic he describes even with my AVR M66 is a nice device but should be around 1k + dirac licence i.m.o.. Way overpriced as many other stuff.

 

[sharock]

Typo or not (beta tester?):
With the M66 and DiracLive ART running the Blade Two Metas and the two KC92 subwoofers, that opening was powerful and startling.
Unfortunately, there is no measurement showing that Dirac Live operates @192kHz.

How realistic is it that the M66 will get DLART?

I remember when they said DLBC will come to C658.

 

[Cpopovic]

It is funny how the measurements didn't capture all the firmware bugs and lack of functionalities like Autosense via e-Arc!

 

[GXAlan]

I can hear all the magic he describes even with my AVR M66 is a nice device but should be around 1k + dirac licence i.m.o.. Way overpriced as many other stuff.

Cheapest DLBC with *four* subs is still the HTP-1, right? And that has even worse customer support software wise than NAD in terms of future upgrades.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Typo or not (beta tester?):
With the M66 and DiracLive ART running the Blade Two Metas and the two KC92 subwoofers, that opening was powerful and startling.

It is a typo (now corrected) that the M66 was running ART. As discussed (and illustrated) earlier in that page, DiracLive-Bass Control and Bass Management. ART ain't available yet.

Unfortunately, there is no measurement showing that Dirac Live operates @192kHz.

Agreed. Although we do know DL can operate at 192kHz and that the M66 DACs can handle 192kHz, we have no evidence that DL in the M66 operates at 192.