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

[sabloke]

 

[Calou]

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

Does it also mean that when using subs the Bluos mandatory buffer of 50ms will also apply?

 

[pogo]

The latency of at least 50ms will probably continue to exist in this case.

 

[sharock]

Still not seeing any stock of this in the UK.

Retailer now stating due February.

 

[LouB]

Wish I could afford one ! Finally something for 2 channel & 2.1-4 fans.

 

[markrubin]

I was told the units have shipped to distributors in the US but are awaiting firmware updates for February release...I still hope to get one

 

[BlackSpider777]

Will the M66 get Home Theatre Bypass feature? the M33 didn't have it which was a bummer.

 

[pogo]

I also use the M33 in HT. If you can compensate the minimum latency of 50ms, it's not a problem. The M66 also has a purely analog path and HT is generally not a problem with this.

 

[BlackSpider777]

The M66 also has a purely analog path and HT is generally not a problem with this.

This will be what HT Bypass is suppose to be, on the M33 the dac does the convert which is stupid..

 

[pogo]

With the M33, however, this is done transparently. But why should you use a preamp like the M66 in addition to an HT preamp connecting a power amp?
A line switch might make more sense here.

 

[da Choge]

This will be what HT Bypass is suppose to be

Still, I think it would be difficult to properly integrate the M66 with a Home Theater setup - there are no analogue subwoofer inputs. And even with the two-channel stereo analogue pass-through, you couldn't utilize any of the unit's Dirac Bass processing features for the four sub outputs. Even so, this might be my primary choice for a two-channel preamp; it's got such great features and performance.

 

[pogo]

You can also use the 4 sub outputs of the M66 if you can compensate the latency of 50ms with the HT pre amp. All you have to do is set the fronts to full-range and assign the LFE if necessary.

 

[MingChops]

Still, I think it would be difficult to properly integrate the M66 with a Home Theater setup - there are no analogue subwoofer inputs. And even with the two-channel stereo analogue pass-through, you couldn't utilize any of the unit's Dirac Bass processing features for the four sub outputs. Even so, this might be my primary choice for a two-channel preamp; it's got such great features and performance.

I don’t see why that would be the case. It should be very easy to integrate and provide exceptional results too. The M66 has 4 sub outs with DLBC and ART is coming later, it’s going to make a fantastic job of integrating the L/R speakers with the subs and I can’t see any AVR doing a better job, certainly not one without ART. It’ll be head and shoulders better than your typical YPAO/Audyssey/Dirac only AVR/AVP.

The integration the M66 provides between mains and subs will be accessible by the AVR, as it’ll just see the mains as very capable full range speakers. So with the AVR set as large mains and no subs, then all bass from other small channels will be re-directed to the M66, which obviously in turn does its thing with the integration of the mains and subs.
Running the AVR calibration will also compensate for any delays when setting distances for all speakers. Then finally bypass the AVR correction on the mains as the last step (most allow this, all the ones I’ve had do and that’s YPAO and Audyssey based).

This setup is exactly what many people are doing already who run Lyngdorf 2ch systems as their HT bypass setups and it works very well, as RoomPerfect makes a typically better job than your average YPAO or Audyssey AVR.

Perhaps if you have a Storm or Trinnov you might not want to have the M66 sticking it’s ore in, but that feels a niche case. I‘d suspect most people (like myself) who are looking at the M66 and wanting HT bypass, are using far more regular AVR’s/AVP’s.

 

[juliangst]

If you have the money to spend on the M66 but also want to integrate a HT setup why don't you just get a better/ Dirac ART capable AVP? For pure stereo listening you would also be able to use all speakers as support and get even better bass.

Are there any features that I'm missing that make the M66 unique?

 

[MingChops]

If you have the money to spend on the M66 but also want to integrate a HT setup why don't you just get a better/ Dirac ART capable AVP? For pure stereo listening you would also be able to use all speakers as support and get even better bass.

Are there any features that I'm missing that make the M66 unique?

I can't answer for anyone else, but personally I am not that "in to" surround sound. I have bought an AVR and a centre+rears to augment my 2ch setup for movie viewing, but it forms much less of the equation than music does. If I let HT dictate things, I think the analogy letting the tail wag the dog would be appropriate to my use case.

There is also another big issue with going 'all-in' on an AVP, and that's the ever changing and evolving video standards that come with a product like that, and video standards seem to evolve at a far greater pace than audio. The M66 won't particularly become dated, it is designed to provide blistering 2ch performance and integration - that won't ever change in time.
So the obsolesce factor, not to mention the extra couple of grand for an AVP of equivalent capabilities over the M66 - doesn't actually make it a very compelling option to go the AVP route.

I have certainly thought to myself maybe I should consolidate somewhat and get either an AVM90 or AV10...so it's a valid question to ask for sure. But for the reasons stated the M66 is a more appealing and wallet friendly option.

 

[LouB]

IMO the M66 is what is, an absolute great thing for expanding a 2 channel system without compromise. There is nothing like it on the market (that I've seen & I've been looking & gave up), Anyway there are many many different AVR amps that are built for HT and would be a much better and probably less expensive way to go about surround sound.

 

[pogo]

It would be nice if the M66 also had the Bluesound surround option like the M10V2. Currently only 4.2 is supported, but who knows the future...

 

[steadilyfred]

It appears there's an English version of the M66 data sheet now posted to NAD's German website.

https://nad.de/product/nad-m66-directdigital-vorverstaerker/

 

[Inoculator]

Got excited yesterday when a BluOS update hit my newly acquired M10 V2 (secondary setup), but alas, update notes still does not say anything about M66. Have had on preorder since shortly after it was announced, and the wait is getting brutal. Really hoping February is the month.

 

[sabloke]

Personally, love what DIRAC does to stereo sound on M33. However, watching movies, it has to be switched off. Can't stand it for some reason. With music it simply cleans the stage and removes the veil off instruments and voices in my poor acoustics room. Need some room treatment for sure, but since my system is a living area, it will never be home studio level of near perfect. That's when DIRAC becomes essential.