The NAD M66 is a streaming DAC preamp that is not only the most advanced preamplifier NAD has ever offered, but also represents an entirely new class of standalone hi-fi components. In addition to a variety of inputs including MM/MC phono and HDMI eARC, the M66 includes an audiophile-grade DAC and multi-room high-resolution music streamer.
Along with a full-bandwidth version of Dirac Live Room Correction, the NAD M66 features Dirac Live Bass Control, allowing you to independently control each connected subwoofer for a smooth, consistent response throughout your entire listening room. The combination of Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control allows the M66 to deliver more accurate room reproduction than any other two-channel component ever offered. Featuring a sleek aluminum body, ultra-smooth digital volume control and a vibrant 7″ touchscreen, the NAD M66 exudes class and quality. Visually, sonically and technologically, it matches perfectly with the award-winning NAD Masters M23 power amplifier. Of course, the NAD M66 BluOS Streaming DAC Preamp can be paired with any high-performance amplifier.
Featuring a high-definition network streamer based on the renowned BluOS multi-room music management system, the NAD M66 provides access to more than 20 streaming services, including several offering lossless high-resolution audio. Using the intuitive BluOS app on a smart device or personal computer, listeners can play music from their favorite streaming service, their personal music libraries and thousands of Internet radio stations in up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. Like all BluOS-enabled components, the NAD M66 has full MQA decoding and rendering capability.
With BluOS, you can listen to music in just one room, or share music across your home network with 63 additional BluOS-compatible components from NAD and other partners. The M66 easily integrates with Control4, Crestron, ELAN, RTI, URC and more home control systems. Listeners can also control playback with their voice using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri. The NAD M66 integrates Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control. Connect the included calibrated microphone to the NAD M66’s USB port, then launch the Dirac Live app on your smart device or personal computer. The app walks you through the calibration process and then creates correction filters that compensate for acoustic problems like standing waves and unwanted reflections. You’ll enjoy more textured bass, improved tonal accuracy, significantly improved clarity, and a more focused image.
In a first for stereo components, the NAD M66 features four balanced and four single-ended subwoofer outputs and integrated Dirac Live Bass Control, which allows multiple subwoofers to be calibrated independently. Dirac Live Bass Control optimizes subwoofer output in both the frequency and time domains, achieving a seamless blend between the subwoofer(s) and the main speakers and delivering smooth, consistent bass response throughout the entire listening area, not just the “main point”.
The digital part of the NAD M66 is based on ESS Technology’s flagship Saber DAC and ADC chips. These audiophile-grade ICs are known for their exceptionally wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise and distortion, and outstanding time-domain performance. The NAD M66 is the first component to implement NAD’s innovative Dynamic Digital Amplification (DDH) circuitry. When enabled in the BluOS app, DDH eliminates digital inter-sample peak clipping distortion that can occur during digital-to-analog conversion with sudden high-frequency transients. The benefits are especially noticeable when working with impact instruments: rim shots are more impressive, but less sharp; the plates are more realistic and less splashy.
The NAD M66 uses an ultra-precise resistor-lamella control circuit to control volume. Compared to traditional analog circuits, the M66 digital volume control significantly reduces thermal and associated distortion, maximizes dynamic range, and more accurately matches left and right channel output across the entire volume range. By default, analog signals are converted to digital, so features like Dirac Live Room Correction and Bass Control are available for all sources. However, the NAD M66 features a selectable Analogue Direct mode that bypasses all digital processing as well as separate signal paths for analog and digital sources. Internally, the analog and digital sections are physically separated and shielded from each other by separate power supplies, so that analog signals are not affected by digital interference when Analogue Direct mode is enabled. Listeners can even use the BluOS app to disable the NAD M66’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuits to prevent RF interference.
With a full complement of analog and digital inputs, the NAD M66 allows you to connect all your source components. Vinyl lovers will appreciate the ultra-quiet NAD M66 MM/MC phono stage, which features precise RIAA equalization, high headroom, and innovative circuitry that suppresses the subsonic noise always present in vinyl playback without affecting bass performance. For watching TV and movies, there is an HDMI eARC port for connecting to an HDTV. Other features include two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF inputs, a balanced AES/EBU digital input, two pairs of line-level RCA analog inputs, and one pair of balanced XLR inputs.
In addition to unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs for connecting to a power amplifier, the NAD M66 has four unbalanced RCA and four balanced XLR subwoofer outputs. The NAD M66 dedicated headphone amplifier has a very low output impedance and very high maximum output voltage, allowing it to drive demanding high-impedance studio monitor headphones. The NAD M66 also features Bluetooth connectivity with support for AAC, LDAC and aptX HD codecs.
The Masters NAD M66 represents the pinnacle of what is technically achievable in a two-channel preamplifier today, and will maintain its technological leadership for decades to come. The rear panel features two expansion slots that support MDC2, the latest generation of NAD’s future-proof Modular Design Construction technology. As technology advances, this will allow M66 owners to add new capabilities by simply inserting an MDC2 module into one of the slots. Everything about the NAD M66 BluOS streaming DAC preamp is designed to inspire pride: the stunning 7″ touchscreen, the elegant aluminum body, the silky-smooth digital volume control. With cutting-edge technology, unrivaled versatility and superb build quality, the NAD M66 is truly an audio masterpiece.
Features NAD M66
Ethernet and Wi-Fi
BluOS network streamer provides access to more than 20 streaming services, including several that deliver lossless audio in high definition
Flagship ESS Saber ES9038PRO DAC and ES9822PRO ADC chips
Innovative Dynamic Digital Headroom (DDH) design eliminates digital inter-sample peak clipping distortion
Full hardware decoding and MQA rendering
Supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
Seamless integration with smart home control systems such as Crestron, Control4, ELAN, RTI, URC and others
Supports Amazon Alexa voice control, Google Assistant and Apple Siri
Dirac Live Room Correction
Four balanced and four unbalanced subwoofer outputs
Dirac Live Bass Control ensures seamless blending between subwoofer(s) and main speakers, and smooth bass reproduction throughout the entire listening area
Ultra-quiet MM/MC phono stage with precise RIAA equalization, high headroom and subsonic filter
HDMI port with eARC support
Two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF inputs, one balanced AES/EBU digital input, two pairs of line-level RCA analog inputs, one pair of balanced XLR inputs
Dedicated low-output headphone amplifier impedance and very high output voltage
Ultra-precise resistor-lamella digital volume control
7″ touch screen on the front panel
Sleek aluminum housing
Two MDC2 expansion slots for adding future capabilities
Premium IR remote control included
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