NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC Preamplifier

NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC Preamplifier

Not only is the Masters M66 BluOS streaming DAC-preamplifier the most advanced preamplifier NAD has ever offered, it represents an entirely new class of hi-fi separate components. In addition to a plethora of inputs, including MM/MC phono and HDMI eARC, the M66 incorporates an audiophile-grade DAC and a high-resolution multi-room music streamer.

Along with the full frequency version of Dirac Live Room Correction, the M66 features Dirac Live Bass Control, allowing independent control of each connected subwoofer, for smooth, consistent response throughout your listening room. The combination of Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control enables the M66 with its 4 independent subwoofer outputs to deliver more accurate in-room performance than any two-channel component ever offered.

With its elegant aluminium casework, super-smooth volume control, and vibrant 7” touchscreen, the M66 exudes class and quality. Visually, sonically, and technologically, it’s an ideal match to NAD’s award-winning Masters M23 power amplifier. Of course, the Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier can be paired with any high-performance power amplifier.

NAD M66 Brings Your Music Everywhere

The M66 has Wi-Fi, Ethernet connectivity and a high-resolution network streamer based on the acclaimed BluOS multi-room music-management system. Using the intuitive BluOS app on a smart device or personal computer, listeners can cue up music from their personal collections, thousands of Internet radio stations, and more than 20 streaming services, in resolution up to 24-bit/192kHz. The M66 has full MQA decoding and rendering capability.

You can have music playing in just one room; or you can share music over your home network with up to 63 additional BluOS-enabled components from NAD and other hardware partners. The M66 integrates easily with home-control systems from Control4, Crestron, ELAN, RTI, URC, and others.

NAD M66 With Dirac Live

The M66 integrates Dirac Live Bass Control. Connect the supplied calibrated microphone to the M66’s USB port and then launch the Dirac Live app on a smart device or personal computer. Alternatively, connect the mic directly into a laptop or computer running Dirac. The app will walk you through the calibration process, and then generate correction filters that compensate for acoustic problems like standing waves and unwanted reflections. You’ll enjoy vastly improved clarity, more precise imaging, improved timbral accuracy, and deeper, tighter bass.

In a world’s first for a stereo component, the M66 features four balanced subwoofer outputs and integrates the full version of Dirac Live Bass Control, which allows independent calibration of multiple subwoofers. Dirac Live Bass Control optimises subwoofer output in both the frequency and time domains. The result is a seamless blend between the subwoofer(s) and main speakers, resulting in a smooth, consistent bass response throughout your listening room, not just in the sweet spot.

NAD M66 Performance

At the heart of the M66’s digital section is ESS Technology’s flagship Sabre ES9038PRO DAC, an audiophile-grade design known for its exceptionally wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise and distortion, and outstanding time-domain performance.

The M66 is the first component to feature NAD’s innovative Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH) circuitry, which is activated with a control in the BluOS app. DDH eliminates digital inter-sample peak clipping distortion, which can occur during digital-to-analogue conversion with sudden high-frequency transients. The benefits are especially noticeable with percussion instruments - rim shots are faster and less strident; cymbals are more realistic and less splashy.

The M66 employs a multi-stage resistor-ladder volume-control circuit. This minimises thermal and related distortions that are characteristic of traditional analogue volume controls, maximises dynamic range, and accurately matches left and right-channel output across the entire volume range.

So that DSP-enabled functions like DiracLive are available with all sources, analogue signals are converted to digital by ESS Technology’s flagship ES9822PRO ADC chip. However, users can select the Analogue Direct mode, which bypasses all digital processing. Moreover, the M66 has separate signal paths for analogue and digital sources. Internally, the analogue and digital sections are physically separated and shielded from each other with their own separate power supply sections. Listeners can even use the BluOS app to disable the M66’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuits to prevent RF interference.

M66 Let's You Connect Everything

The M66 has a wide array of inputs for all your digital and analogue sources. These include a HDMI port with eARC support, two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF inputs, an AES/EBU balanced digital input, two pairs of RCA line-level analogue inputs, and one pair of XLR balanced inputs. Vinyl fans will appreciate the M66’s ultra-quiet separate MM and MC phono stage, which features precise RIAA equalization, high overload margins, and an innovative circuit that suppresses the infrasonic noise that is always present with vinyl playback without affecting bass response.

In addition to unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs for connection to a power amplifier, the M66 has four independent unbalanced RCA and four balanced XLR subwoofer outputs. The M66’s dedicated headphone amplifier has very low output impedance and very high maximum output voltage, enabling it to drive demanding high-impedance studio monitor headphones. The M66 also has Bluetooth connectivity, with support for the AAC and aptX HD codecs.

A Timeless Masterpiece

Everything about the NAD Masters M66 BluOS streaming DAC-preamp is intended to inspire pride of ownership: the gorgeous 7” touchscreen, the elegant aluminium casework, and the silky-smooth volume control.

The Masters M66 represents the pinnacle of what is technically achievable in a two channel preamplifier today. And the M66 will maintain its technological leadership for decades to come. On the rear panel are two expansion slots that support MDC2, the latest iteration of NAD’s Modular Design Construction future-proofing technology. In the future, M66 owners will be able to add new capabilities simply by inserting an MDC2 module into one of the expansion slots.

With its leading-edge technology, incredible versatility, and exceptional build quality, the Masters M66 is truly a masterpiece of sound.

Why Choose The NAD Masters M66?

The NAD Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC‑Preamplifier isn’t just NAD’s most advanced preamp to date - it feels like a whole new breed of hi-fi component. Sitting at the centre of a serious system, it blends audiophile muscle with modern streaming smarts, packing an ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC, BluOS multi-room streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz, and a frankly ridiculous spread of inputs including HDMI eARC and a proper MM/MC phono stage. The real magic happens when you fire up Dirac Live with Dirac Live Bass Control, letting the M66 wrangle up to four independent subwoofers for bass that’s smooth, tight and consistent across the room, not just the sweet spot. Wrapped in elegant aluminium with a slick 7-inch touchscreen and that buttery resistor-ladder volume control, it’s the kind of component that makes listening feel both effortless and a little bit special - especially when paired with something like the NAD Masters M23 Power Amplifier.