About The NAD Masters M33 Streaming DAC Amplifier
With the employment of the new HybridDigital ™ Purifi Eigentakt ™ amplifier technology, the M33 follows NAD's long-standing tradition in identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology. With a minimum of 200W per channel on tap, the result is lifelike performance, exemplified by ultra-low distortion and noise. The measured performance is remarkable in that it nears the limits of even the most sensitive and sophisticated test equipment available.
The NAD Masters M33 is a true state-of-the-art audiophile amplifier in the traditional sense yet with a distinct difference: It fully caters to the modern world where the majority of music is delivered over the internet with an entire catalogue of recorded music readily available at your fingertips; a great convenience. Multi-room wireless audio capability multiplies the enjoyment.
BluOS™ High-Res Music Streaming Everywhere: Unusual in a class of products often associated with complexity is the M33's intuitive operation, courtesy of the seven-inch touchscreen colour display combined with BluOS. NAD considers it the most advanced network streaming and multi-room operating system available.
BluOS, the innovation leader in true wireless High-Resolution multi-room systems has a growing ecosystem of compatible products that tightly integrate hardware and software for an exceptional user experience.
Besides multi-room, another compelling feature of BluOS is its high-res streaming capabilities. BluOS supports the new standard for High Res streaming, Master Quality Authenticated (MQA). BluOS also supports some 20 free and paid subscription music services including Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon HD, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn Radio and many others. In addition, BluOS supports locally stored music libraries.
With BluOS, the M33 retains all the audiophile features and further adds a range of facilities that will expand its capabilities yet simplifies ease-of-use at the same time. Operable with the BluOS app, the supplied remote control or through hands-free control with any Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device, the M33's front panel doesn't actually need to be touched. To expand the multi-room locations, adding additional rooms is both easy and affordable.
Dirac Room Correction Integrated: Experts agree that room acoustics are the weakest link in most sound systems with room reflections deteriorating tonal balance and dynamics. Dirac Live, one of the most highly regarded Room Correction systems available, not only adjusts for frequency response, but unlike other room correction systems, it also optimises the impulse response. By optimising the speaker/room interface, music sounds more natural and lifelike.
Supplied with the M33 is a precision microphone to measure the room at and around the listening position so your system can be precisely calibrated for optimum performance. The result is substantially improved musical staging, clarity, voice intelligibility, as well as a deeper and tighter bass.
Each of the five Dirac memory profiles can store a unique room measurement (think of the different acoustics with curtains open or closed, different listening position, for instance), or different frequency target curves to suit a particular musical taste or genre. The M33 also supports independent subwoofer outputs, compatible with Dirac's advanced "Bass Control".
Modular Design Offers Maximum Flexibility: In its standard form, the M33 is very complete. It features a wide range of inputs and outputs, BluOS, Dirac Live, HDMI and more, already fully integrated. It will meet the requirements of the most demanding users.
To minimize the risk of future obsolescence, the M33 comes with two MDC (Modular Design Construction) slots that allow for further expansion. NAD introduced the MDC platform well over a decade ago and allowed updating products with new technologies which didn't even exist at the time of introduction.
Connection & Wireless Flexibility: Whether looking to connect digital or analogue sources, the M33 comes well equipped to accommodate 6 digital inputs and 3 analogue inputs, including MM/MC phono.
The rear panel hosts two sets of speaker outputs capable of bi-wiring and two independent Subwoofer outputs with a fully configurable Digital Crossover. Apple Airplay 2 and Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth allow for local wireless streaming from a phone or tablet.
Phono & Headphones Are Not Forgotten: The M33 has a high-quality selectable MM or MC phono stage that rivals specialized outboard units. Accurate RIAA equalization, a clever phase cancelling infrasonic filter, and a huge overload margin combine to bring out the best in LPs.
Furthermore, if you are a headphone enthusiast, you'll delight at the sound of the discrete headphone amplifier, which is able to drive even planar and high impedance studio headphones. With high voltage and low output impedance, your headphones will sound their best. If you want to enjoy headphones but not be tethered to a cable, the integrated Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth module makes it simple.
Attractive Design With Ergonomic Beauty: The all-aluminium casework is elegant yet practical. The single control knob for volume is supplemented by a colour LCD touchscreen display. Rigid panels with magnetic iso-point feet provide a solid foundation for the multi-layer circuit boards and intricate internal construction. The M33 employs a completely modern and fresh take on the traditional stereo amplifier, with forward thinking features and performance.
Easy Smart Home Integration: BluOS provides hands-free control with full integration of any Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. Through Apple AirPlay 2, control is also possible with Siri.
Considerable effort has been spent to make the M33 fully compatible with all the leading smart home systems from leading companies like Apple, Crestron, Control4, Lutron, KNX and many others.
This means that along with lighting, shades, HVAC, and security, the integrator or user can seamlessly control the BluOS multiroom music system from a common interface. All integrations are certified for reliable operation. The custom BluOS Apps for iOS and Android tablets and phones, as well as desktop control from Windows and macOS are available free-of-charge and are updated regularly
Our Take
This is the sort of product which makes you question the two or three or four boxes you have currently doing streaming and amplification in your system. Maybe I could downsize to just one component that does it all? Would there be any loss in quality or performance? In many systems the answer would be a resounding no, because the M33 would probably be a jump up in quality and performance, possibly quite a big one. We don't often put much stock in reviews because we prefer to make our own minds up when it comes to a new product but the way every reviewer talked about the M33 meant we envisaged it was going to be something special long before we plugged one in. And, for once, they absolutely had it right. The M33 could be the strongly beating heart of your system just waiting to partner with a nice pair of speakers, a subwoofer or two and maybe that turntable you've always wanted. Check it out today.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Stereo Amplifier with Built-In BluOS Network Streaming
- 200 Watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.002% THD
- 380 Watts x 2 into 4 ohms
- 700 Watts Mono in Bridged Mode (In bridged mode the M33 can be combined with a Bridged NAD M23 Amplifier to create a 2 x 700 Watt system)
- Frequency Response: 20-60,000 Hz
- 32-bit/384kHz ES9028Pro SABRE DAC built in
- Supports High-Res MQA, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF files
- Colour touch screen display
- Supports voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices
- BluOS compatibility for further expansion with Bluesound wireless speakers
- Built-In two-way Bluetooth® with aptX HD
- Receiver mode for playing sources wirelessly
- Headphone mode for listening on Bluetooth headphones
- Connects to your home network via built-in dual-band Wi-Fi® or wired Ethernet for music streaming
- Includes support for Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify®, TIDAL, Napster, Deezer, Qobuz and more (subscription required for some services, subject to availability)
- Free internet radio from TuneIn Radio and iHeartRadio
- Apple® AirPlay® 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music
- Free BluOS controller app for iOS®, Android™, Windows, and Mac OS X
- Built-In Dirac Live room correction with included calibration microphone improves clarity and stereo imaging
Connections
- Analogue Stereo RCA audio input
- Phono Stage input for turntables with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges
- Balanced Stereo XLR input
- Digital Inputs (all 24-bit/192 kHz)
- 2 x Toslink Optical,
- 2 x Coaxial
- HDMI ARC input (2-channel PCM only; does not support Dolby Digital or DTS)
- USB (Type A) port for connecting a thumb drive or mass storage device
- AES/EBU XLR input
- Stereo RCA preamp output for connecting a separate amplifier
- 2 Mono RCA outputs for connecting powered subwoofers
- Two sets of binding post speaker connectors
- Mini Type-B USB port for service updates
- IR Input & 12-volt trigger in/out
General
- Included Accessories: 1.8m AC Power Cable, Remote Control (HTRM 2), 4 'AA' Batteries, 2 Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Antennas, Auto Calibration Microphone, USB Microphone Adapter, 4 Magnetic Feet, Cleaning Cloth, Quick Setup Guide, Internet Update Guidelines, Important Safety Instructions, Dirac Live Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 435 x 133 x 396mm
- Weight: 9.7 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 3 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.