NAD Electronics has unveiled the M33, a BluOS streaming enabled DAC/amplifier at CES in Las Vegas. The M33 (US$4999/€4999/£3999 MSRP) will be available in March 2020. New HybridDigital Purifi Eigentakt amplifier technology (Class D perhaps) is specified to deliver a minimum of 200W per channel into both 8 and 4 Ohm loads. Operation via a 7” inch touchscreen colour display combines with the BluOS app in what NAD considers “the most advanced network streaming and multi-room operating system available”.
BluOS high-res streaming capabilities include full MQA decoding support (pending M33 certification) from a local NAS or shared drive but also from internet streaming audio services. Among the some 20 supported services which offer high-res content are Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon HD and others. Music services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Slacker, TuneIn and many others are also supported.
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.
Room correction on board
The M33 also incorporates Dirac room correction system which adjusts for frequency response and optimises the impulse response. 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. Each of the 5 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 pending advanced “Bass Management”.
Modular Design Construction
In its standard form, the M33 has a wide range of in/outputs, BluOS, Dirac, 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 slots that allow for further expansion. NAD introduced the MDC platform well over a decade ago to allow product updates with new technologies which didn’t even exist at time of introduction.
Connection and Wireless Flexibility
The M33 has 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 2 subwoofer outputs with a fully configurable digital crossover. Apple Airplay 2 and Bluetooth aptX HD allow for local wireless streaming from a phone or tablet.
The M33 has a 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.It also has a discrete headphone amplifier, which “is able to drive even planar and high impedance studio headphones” with high voltage and low output impedance. The integrated Bluetooth aptX HD module makes it simple to enjoy wireless headphones.
Smart Home Integration
BluOS provides hands-free control with full integration of any Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device, control is also possible with Sir through Airplay 2i. Considerable effort has been spent to make the M33 fully compatible with all the leading smart home systems from companies like Apple, Crestron, Control4, Lutron, KNX and many others.