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

[Cpopovic]

I can't say if this is compatible, as the M66 has MDC2: Link
But if not, a MDC2 one will release sooner or later.

If you still have the device, please have a look here to see which gain levels are possible:

View attachment 333745

Hi Pogo, I can't see anything in the menu (preamplifier's screen and via the BluOs). See by yourself ...

I have spent a tremendous amount of time troubleshooting some bugs in the latest BluOS on the NAD M66 which don't appear to be on my NAD M10v2. For example, the auto-sensing functionality is simply not listed in the menu. You have to manual select the desired input via the software, as the new remote doesn't offer the option. Here are a few screenshots comparing the same feature on the NAD M10V2 and NAD M66 (HDMI port). I'm hoping this will be fixed soon by NAD.

 

[pogo]

With your Bluesound RC1 you can call up a preset with this input on the M66, similar to this one with the HTRM2: Link

 

[Cpopovic]

I usually have the numbers linked to some playlists, not sources and I heavily rely on the auto-sensing feature, which doesn't appear to be functioning!

 

[pogo]

What I haven't seen in the BluOS changelog is a first mention of the M66. Here is the example during the M33 introduction:

BluOS 3.8.13. Released May 26, 2020
• Support for NAD Masters M33 BluOS Streaming DAC Amplifier.

 

[Cpopovic]

What I haven't seen in the BluOS changelog is a first mention of the M66. Here is the example during the M33 introduction:

BluOS 3.8.13. Released May 26, 2020
• Support for NAD Masters M33 BluOS Streaming DAC Amplifier.

What I haven't seen in the BluOS changelog is a first mention of the M66. Here is the example during the M33 introduction:

BluOS 3.8.13. Released May 26, 2020
• Support for NAD Masters M33 BluOS Streaming DAC Amplifier.

Nothing new in the changelog, I have just submitted a request to the BluOS support team flagging this issue.

 

[sabloke]

I usually have the numbers linked to some playlists, not sources and I heavily rely on the auto-sensing feature, which doesn't appear to be functioning!

You could try to update to BluOS 4.2.6, who knows, there might be some bug fixes for M66. I just updated my M33 minutes ago.

 

[pablolie]

It has a great feature set - but it overlaps with the feature set of many active speakers these days.

 

[Cpopovic]

You could try to update to BluOS 4.2.6, who knows, there might be some bug fixes for M66. I just updated my M33 minutes ago.

I can confirm I have the latest version of BluOS.

 

[pogo]

You could try to update to BluOS 4.2.6

The M66 already had 4.2.6 loaded, see also the video.

 

[Inoculator]

Hi Pogo, I can't see anything in the menu (preamplifier's screen and via the BluOs). See by yourself ...

I have spent a tremendous amount of time troubleshooting some bugs in the latest BluOS on the NAD M66 which don't appear to be on my NAD M10v2. For example, the auto-sensing functionality is simply not listed in the menu. You have to manual select the desired input via the software, as the new remote doesn't offer the option. Here are a few screenshots comparing the same feature on the NAD M10V2 and NAD M66 (HDMI port). I'm hoping this will be fixed soon by NAD.

Joined the forum to hop in on this chat, I appreciate that there is some discussion about this product around here.

This is some very concerning news, as it has me very worried that the M66 will not feature the auto-sense function like the M10 V2 and M33. Like you, I have reached out to NAD support for confirmation about this.

I previously owned a NAD M33 but moved on to a different amp fed by the Hifi Rose 150B and I have desperately missed some of the quality of life stuff from the M33, most importantly auto sense with the HDMI ARC input. The M33 was great in a system used by the whole family/TV as it would auto-standby/auto-on and switch to HDMI automatically when the TV was turned on if I had been using Roon or my turntable previously. I had assumed the M66 would function the same so I preordered shortly after it was announced. I am now dreading that it may be missing these necessary quality-of-life features for me, especially as I recently set up a NAD C 3050 LE for my dad and was surprised to see it was missing auto sense as well. Keeping my fingers crossed and I will report back here if NAD provides clarity to me.

 

[Cpopovic]

As at Dec 17th- Still official response from BluOs regarding the software issues, I hope will be fixed with a later update.

Here is the email received yesterday.


----------------------
Hello

Our apologies - due to the overwhelming excitement over BluOS 4.0, we are seeing a higher volume of calls but have been working even harder than expected here at The Bluesound Support Crew!

Your outstanding request for support, (#) has not been forgotten.

A member of The Bluesound Support Crew will reach out to you as quickly as possible though. That’s the Bluesound Listening Commitment - we thank you for your patience.
--------------------------------

I assume that the auto-sensing and DDH features will be activated with the next software update in January.

 

[pogo]

DLART is coming: Link

 

[Cpopovic]

DLART is comming: Link

Thanks for sharing the review!

The paragraph is particularly true and summarizes the preamplifier's strongest point: The vocals.

Extract from the review:

"The preamplifier's transparent and faithful reproduction ensures that his vocals are not just heard but felt, adding a new dimension to the listener's engagement with the song. The dynamic shifts between the introspective verses and the more robust chorus are conveyed with remarkable precision. The NAD preamplifier deftly handles these transitions, capturing the sudden swell of intensity without losing the finer details of the quieter moments. This is an accurate and neutral-sounding design which doesn't impose any colouration on the sound."

Full review: https://www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/nad-m66-bluos-streaming-dac-preamplifier-review

 

[Inoculator]

Joined the forum to hop in on this chat, I appreciate that there is some discussion about this product around here.

This is some very concerning news, as it has me very worried that the M66 will not feature the auto-sense function like the M10 V2 and M33. Like you, I have reached out to NAD support for confirmation about this.

I previously owned a NAD M33 but moved on to a different amp fed by the Hifi Rose 150B and I have desperately missed some of the quality of life stuff from the M33, most importantly auto sense with the HDMI ARC input. The M33 was great in a system used by the whole family/TV as it would auto-standby/auto-on and switch to HDMI automatically when the TV was turned on if I had been using Roon or my turntable previously. I had assumed the M66 would function the same so I preordered shortly after it was announced. I am now dreading that it may be missing these necessary quality-of-life features for me, especially as I recently set up a NAD C 3050 LE for my dad and was surprised to see it was missing auto sense as well. Keeping my fingers crossed and I will report back here if NAD provides clarity to me.

I just heard back from NAD. Sounds like at least for HDMI eARC there will be an auto-sense of sorts via CEC, but no auto sense for other inputs.

"We are really glad to hear that you are interested in NAD. Other than starting a track with Bluesound, there isn't an Autosense feature for the other Sources. However, the M66's HDMI eARC with CEC will auto-start when the TV is switched on and will respond to the TV's remote."

This handles my main concerns or use case for ease of use for family members using the TV and them not having to fumble through source menus after I have been listening to Roon or my turntable.

 

[sharock]

It has a great feature set - but it overlaps with the feature set of many active speakers these days.

Which active speakers provide multi-sub bass control?

 

[Sal1950]

It also bodes well that NAD might finally modernize the room correction in their AVR/P lines, given that this one uses the same MDC things.

What's your kickback on this promo J ?

 

[pogo]

I checked with NAD and, as I suspected, the sub outputs are not supported in Pure Analog mode.

 

[da Choge]

I checked with NAD and, as I suspected, the sub outputs are not supported in Pure Analog mode.

That's a bummer, but, like you, I already suspected as much with a NAD product like this. Still a very tempting unit; one just has to let go of their "all analog pathway" commitment sometimes.

 

[sabloke]

Why would any analog fanatic audiophile buy something like M66? Nitpicking much?

 

[pogo]