Предусилители — NAD M66

The M66 is a BluOS streaming DAC and preamplifier in the Masters Series from NAD, described by the company as the starting point of a high-performance two-channel system. It combines network streaming, digital to analogue conversion, analogue volume control and a phono stage in one all-aluminium chassis with a 7 inch colour touchscreen. The package includes a Full Bandwidth calibration licence with Bass Control support and a measuring microphone.

Key specs that matter

Digital signals pass through an ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC, and an ES9822PRO ADC digitises incoming analogue signals. Preamplifier distortion is below 0.001% at 2 V output, A-weighted signal-to-noise exceeds 105 dB, channel separation exceeds 120 dB, and response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz deviates by no more than 0.2 dB. The MM/MC phono stage offers 56 kohm plus 100 pF loading and 1.7 mV sensitivity for moving magnet cartridges, and 100 ohm plus 280 pF with 123 microvolt sensitivity for moving coil, with distortion below 0.008% in MM mode and 0.02% in MC mode. The dedicated headphone amplifier has distortion under 0.002% and delivers more than 5 V at 1% THD into 32 ohms. The chassis measures 435 x 133 x 387 mm and weighs 7.6 kg. The US price is USD 7,199.

Engineering and use context

The analogue volume control is designed to keep channel balance precise, and an analogue direct mode keeps analogue signals on isolated paths. Connections include HDMI eARC, AES/EBU, USB, optical, coaxial, RCA and XLR inputs, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and four configurable subwoofer outputs. Two MDC2 slots allow later expansion. BluOS plays MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, MQA, WAV and AIFF files at up to 192 kHz and 24 bit, over Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5 or Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, and supports services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music HD and SiriusXM. It also works in BluOS multi-room systems. Standby draw is 0.5 W, or 2.0 W with network standby on, and 0.1 W when switched off. The shipping weight is 16.25 kg. The headphone output impedance is quoted as Z plus 4.7 ohm.

Pairing

The balanced and unbalanced outputs feed a stereo power amplifier, and the four subwoofer outputs allow one or more subwoofers to be added.

Alternatives

A lower-priced NAD option is the C 658 BluOS streaming DAC preamplifier, which uses an ESS Sabre 32 bit DAC with digital volume control and adds an MM phono stage and headphone amplifier.