Picked up M33 from Safe and sound and am loving it so far.. even with hard to drive speakers

Nice review Ron, thanks. The M33 all in one solution (electronic components) is fine for those who want a one stop (costly $5k) solution. From NAD, the better audiophile choice is C298 stereo amp. It includes the same Purifi modules,, and typology. However, your May Dac, any tube or line stage, of your choice, will add your prefered sound signature. More importantly C298 goes for $2k, and won't have any typical software clitches the M33 and other one stop Integrated amp streamers are plagued with.

I had the M33 and got rid of it. It sounded good and had good connectivity, but the constant crashes, restarts, and potential screen issues (some have started fading) forced me to sell it. It was the hot item at the time and I got back what I gave for it, so no biggie. I went to Luxman and am very satisfied. I hope they have worked out the kinks.

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

That’s good feedback for the community, thank you! I haven’t had any crashes or issues like you described so I’m hoping they ironed out those bugs.

@bikeracersl

2 жыл бұрын

I have not had any crashes after the latest update. As for the screen I turned down to 20% on day one and set to dark mode and it’s still looks good. I only have a few months have use so will have to see how it goes. Still plenty bright in the day time and perfect for night listening. Also I have the screen shuts off after 60 seconds after last volume or input change.. hops all these settings help it last.🤞🏻

@richwong5045

2 жыл бұрын

I have now had my NAD M33 for nine months since October 2020 and yes when I first bought it there use to be frustrating crashes, losses of connection, and re-starts. Fortunately since one of the updates about 4 or 5 months ago the NAD M33 has been rock stable with absolutely no crashes and re-starts. I love the clarity, details, and dynamics that the NAD M33 brings out of my B&W 802 D2 speakers! Haha.... I totally agree about the remote. Why bother, I have never used it and it is still in the box. I only use it with my Ipad or my Samsung Galaxy phone.

@paulbaker4941

2 жыл бұрын

Only buy nad amps. The cd players etc are built like trash and fail i have owned a few. Also the cinema stuff is a bit crap and also fails!

@cpg8000

2 жыл бұрын

Which model Luxman did you get? I really like Luxman, and am considering that for my next integrated

Yay Ron for this review🤸‍♂️...and thank you AGAIN for the Anti-Cables I've had since 2017❤🎶

Great review, thanks Ron. I love this amp/streamer.

Thank you for another great video. Love the channel.

Hey Ron - Rusty here. Amazing review amigo. The video looks amazing and the reference to LOTR and Borat were icing on the cake.

This is a great review. To elaborate - I'm 53 with Myelomalacia (look it up) so my days of lugging 200lbs of monoblocks are over. This just sounds great, it's reasonably lightweight without seeming "cheap" (for some reason weight is equal to quality) and while I know analog amps will always do well with vinyl this holds its own pretty well. It's clarity with digital sources is outstanding and I couldn't be happier.

Excellent move putting your new DIY grey diffusers on the immediate flank of the speakers. I have a setup doing the same thing, same place. I have gotten excellent results and.... if you find a frequency either lacking or to much you can actually tune the room sound with inserts on the thing (I've made many inserts of different size and shape for the two insert channels on mine and have created many tone variations (think bass mid and treble controls on the preamp....). It looks like a nice clean and aesthetically decent, even pleasing acoustics installation. Let me know when you achieve +/- 1.5 db with octave smoothing 20hz to tweeter roll-off in stereo at the listening position (+/- 5db unsmoothed), and no room modes.

Try and get hold of a Lyngdorf TDAi 1220.... cheaper and just as versatile and has room perfect correction as well. Not sure if they are available in the US though.

Nice review, Ron. I'm with you in that I would find using the touchscreen to invoke some control functions instead of the tablet somewhat exasperating. With respect to integrateds, something you might want to consider reviewing sometime is the DarTZeel CTH-8550. _That_ is the best integrated I've ever heard, to date, by far, and is so excpeptional that it smokes almost all the separate preamp/amp pairings I've ever heard, as well. Another preamp I'd be interested in a review on is the Constellation Argo. But back down to Earth, perhaps comparing and contrasting to the Marantz Ruby PM-KI "Ken Ishiwata" integrated might be of interest.

It appears that this unit tries to address a need that I think all reasonably well made integrated amplifier should try to address. That is, the ability to put a signal to my main speakers that is crossed over. In the old days you got a preout and main in loop. One could use this for all kinds of add on devices. Today...not so much. Bravo to NAD for addressing this feature.

I hear “touch sensitive power button” and I’m old enough to know that thing will cease to turn on in approximately 1.33 years.

@svalbard01

2 жыл бұрын

Are you saying older NAD amps tend to be a bit out of touch? LOL.

@1mctous

2 жыл бұрын

Or the day after the warranty expires, whichever comes first.

@paulkingsman8021

2 жыл бұрын

You can buy a Bluesound Remote for controlling the M33

@bikdav

2 жыл бұрын

Touchscreen failure is the very thing I fear.

@kinpoon8160

2 жыл бұрын

I had the m12 preamp, and the power button was only working 65% if the time.

Great review. Love the sub features and two sets of speakers is good. Not ready to spend $5,000 but might consider the M10 but does not have dual sub. Too bad. How much better than Peachtree Nova 300?

‘ImporTant’. Hooray!!! With love, Ken

I'd love to see a Nad c 658 review from you! ❤️

I owned NAD gear in the 80's and it was very reliable. What I read about this new NAD 33 reminds me of the issues Jaguar was once know for. High performance without high build quality. Maybe NAD has worked the issues out but I have heard more than one owner complaining about reliability. I did hear this Amp at RMAF running Elac? speakers and that sound was one of the best I heard at the show. This model is an industry leader in terms of what an amp will be going forward.

@professorvoluck9311

Жыл бұрын

The first high-end system I ever heard was in the ‘80’s and it was all NAD including the CD player but used a Nakamichi Dragon cassette player. All these years later I’m going to replicate that system. 2 x 2600 amps. Nostalgia is priceless. Love NAD!

Woah old school opener. Nice.

My first choice as well

Regarding the May DAC+M33, M33 specs say max input level for Line In is either 2Vrms or 8Vrms under low sensitivity mode. May DAC balanced output is quite high at 5.8Vrms, but sort of smack in between the settings of the NAD M33. Perhaps Holo Audio got its inspiration from DCS, whose DACs output at 2Vrms or 6Vrms selectable.

A quick question (I hope) Ron. If you use the preamp outs to drive external power amps can you set a high pass filter for bass management as you can on the main outputs? With love, Ken

Sorry to go off topic, but I couldn’t help but notice that great chair in your listening spot. Could you provide some info on that and where it is available? Thanks 🙏

How is the sound when using optical digital (TOSLINK) I have a Onkyo TX-NR 5090 and use it only in stereo in Bi-amp mode. I believe my Triangle Magellan Cello speakers would sound much better with M33 than with the onkyo? What do you think?

Would love to see a "Budget" review with the integrated NAD C316BEE V2 :D

So what do you think: M10 + the Rest 2,5 Grand for power amplifier (mono blocks) or the m33 naked in terms of sound. It’s kind of difficult to imagine the m33 to come out as the winner. Thanks for the great video, love your content.

Wow! Great Review. 👍👍👍

would love to see you compare this to a Naim Uniti Nova that is a we bit more

I’m a little late the M33 game, but have a couple of questions. Does the volume wheel display on the screen when you change the volume with a remote or physically turn the volume knob? Or is the volume knob motorized and turn when you adjust the volume from remote?

Great Review. 👍👍!!

I’m interested in the soundtrack you created for this video...particularly the one starting at 12:15. Any chance you can share ?

In defense of the blueiOS app, it’s not really a replacement for a receiver remote as much as a remote for a streaming platform. As you know, It’s used to control streaming for the bluesound stuff (running the gamut from sound bars to powered streamers) as well as various NAD models. I believe it’s about to get integrated into some other platforms as well as some home automation stuff. So, making the app featured specifically for that particular NAD model doesn’t really make sense unless they wanted to invest in a separate code base for that model...which has variations from other bluesound enabled NAD models as well. My beef with Bluesound is it’s a little clumsy at times with room/zone configuration and my fiancé still ends up blasting music to the wrong parts of the house late at night and the volume control is laggy as heck. That said, it’s my nit to your nit. So, twice as nitty. Good stuff as always, Ron!

I think if the internal phono preamp is used the signal is passed to digital. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Ron, you can access the menu remotely with the remote control. It’s in the manual.

@Ron that was a freaking great review, and I am so very grateful for your services. Interesting enough, my complaints about the unit a very similar to yours, wishing that NAD had included a balanced output. I actually have that complaint about all Bluesound and Nad streaming products...MQA, Hi-Rez, Flac files, and streaming via Roon, all deserve BALANCED OUTPUT STAGES, as well as natively supporting DSD playback (but I digress). I don't know if you tried this in your review, but you can use Dirac with your phono playback, it totally cleans up the sound and I found it to be amazing. As for the bass, if you adjust the subwoofer crossover settings in the app,, the M33 also adds a corresponding Highpass filter to your speakers which I found improved the subwoofer integration. That said, I do believe that you have the ear of NAD, so continue to beat that drum, update the App, to cover every input, and use of those MDC slots to add a balanced output. That said, I love this unit...I added the additional HDMI input board, and I'm happier than a pig in slop. Keep up the great work!!

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! I had no idea about direct with the phono/table! That’s freaking cool as heck! Thanks bro!

@isaacsykes3

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 Anything for you Ron!! Check it out and let us know what you think. Also, I have to give credit Darko, and NAD support they put me on to it.

Hi Ron, do you think adding an external DAC (for example the Halo MAY DAC that you reviewed) or other warmer sounding DAC might reduce or take the edge of the 'coldness' of the M33 sound? Would be grateful for your view, thanks.

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Nope, reason being it will be passed through the AD converter inside the amp anyway.

@marcfoss7687

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 Thanks Ron, appreciate the reply.

@PS987654321PS

Жыл бұрын

@@marcfoss7687 ​ Are you suggesting that the NAD33 is bright, cold, fatiguing?

Great review. But my advice would be not to use the included microphone; the results with an Umik-One are much better!

What is their soundstage like?... Is it large, wide, tall and deep, compared to say Hegel H390 or Michi X3?

Finally two digital Coax inputs!

Re: 14:54, thankfully Gandalf’s love of the halfling’s weed addled his brain to miss this option!

I wonder how it compares with Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 and its room perfect?

@gerard3797

2 жыл бұрын

Peter Lyngdorf is one of the founders of Purify Eigentakt, they licensed their tech to NAD.

@sebastianmirbach

2 жыл бұрын

@@lukerestlessstudios me too. The Lyngdorf sounded much duller to me than the NAD. In addition, Dirac is much better than RP imho

I would have like to see A - B switching for the speaker outputs.

Possibly the weak link is dac section. Everything else is great, app, power section, Dirac etc

how does the sound compare to the timekeepers?

Hmm does that screen properly function for any longer than 8 odd years?

Ron, does the 33 digitize the phono input, or is there an analog bypass?

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

It’s digitized 😬

@tonymerola9848

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 I was alway curious about this. Do the characteristics of a phono stage or phono cartridge come through when the signal is digitized? Or are we now listening to the DAC?

@gotham61

2 жыл бұрын

It's a digital amplifier, so I expect the phono signal gets digitized pretty early in the signal path

@jon4715

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonymerola9848 Digitization of analogue sources reduced the dynamic range.

@neilfox4626

2 жыл бұрын

It is digitized. If you want an analog bypassed option from NAD with Dirac the C658 does it. See John Darko’s video for his take on the phono in the M33.

Sure looks like the M33 has the goods. Always liked the design language of the M line. I shouldn’t have watched this….lol. Nice job Ron.

@jon4715

2 жыл бұрын

NAD makes the most useful integrated amps, the hdmi module is such a cool thing.

Will they do an update?

how would u compare this to the naim uniti nova

Ron, nice review: thoughtful, thorough and nuanced. Keep in mind the amp converts analog inputs (turntable, May dac) to its internal digital processing.

Should it not have E arc?

Balanced outputs in an integrated? Why?

As of now I don't see NAD stating it is a fully balanced amp. Additionally the negative speaker terminal could still be actively driven. Compare its voltage against the power ground and you'll know for sure

Link for the chair..? Great video..!

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

amzn.to/3AYgzmz

I'll take tubes and transformers. That being said I'm sure it's a great unit.

Yes, but does it measure as good as the 300 watt Aiyima A07 ($70) on the Audio Science Review chart? My entire system was $750 including dac, preamp, amp and new planar magnetic headphones though I got the omnidirectional towers used. I may be a while before I buy a $5000 amp. Do you have an extra one?

@sergeysmelnik

2 жыл бұрын

Lol these reviewers dont actually measure anything much less know how to read amplifier measurements. From the nad amps I've seen on asr they usually measure at least descent. But is this thing worth 5k and does it measure better than something like a hypex ncore? Maybe maybe not.

What about M23 with May?

Awesome video. I really want one of these. Can you tell them to make it for $500

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

I put in a ticket for you buddy!

@WhiteBubblySoup

2 жыл бұрын

Isn't your wheelhouse 500 per component? So an amp/dac/streamer/preamp/phono stage all in one at $2500 would be cheapaudioman approved. Maybe even a little higher because you save on interconnects.

@frederickhardman3389

2 жыл бұрын

I think they call the cheap version the bluesound power node

I would any day chose the T+A R1000E, it will destroy every NAD on the planet and every combination of amplifier, streamer and DAC up to 25K any day.

Can it connect to ps5?

How does the M33 compare to Hegel H390?

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

That amp is up for review. Let’s find out soon!

@frederickhardman3389

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 Im looking forward to it

Lawyers and doctors you say???!! Got something against accountants, Ron?

no ht-bypass! :(

My Choice would be Hegel H390 instead of these

Even better integrated than Hegel for the same price? 🧐

@cosmicwebb

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly the question I wanted to ask 👍

I hear one box system and wonder whether CD’s have suddenly become the “ Drunk Uncle Dance” at the family gathering… CD’s are here, they exist, and they will not go away….so why are most modern “ all in one “ systems not acknowledging the need for CD and over emphasising streaming which requires a decent wifi connection, which not all areas have?

Hope you didn’t scratch your rack not using the magnetic feet .

I just bought the Lyngdorf TDAI 1120. It really is a great do-it-all system. An impressive phono stage (for reference, it's better than my Schiit Mani), room correction and fully integrated customisable parametric EQ are the killer features for me. (oh and gapless spotify connect)

Santana Flex

I don't like the philosophy of Class D (tricking your brain into hearing continuous audio seems wrong). But I have heard the C388, and it indeed sounded incredibly good.

@PS987654321PS

Жыл бұрын

What?

@jon4715

Жыл бұрын

@@PS987654321PS do you know how class d amplification works?

Wish they made it in all black

I'm convinced class D (or a variation) will be the future. This is coming from someone that has never liked class D until just recently and with a $75 amp at that. I have found a tube pre has been necessary thus far. Apparently this could be different...

I wan't a class D like I want a new Milli Vanilli offering.

@davidweitendorf1053

2 жыл бұрын

Can't beat class a and class d never will come close. A/b done right is amazing as well.

Been waiting on the NAD C399 to become available, but it keeps getting pushed further and further back, to the point where I am now looking at alternatives. It's either this one or the Hegel H390, to run my B&W 702 Signatures. Anyone have any thoughts? They both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and I'm finding it to be a very difficult choice.

With such serious caveats in the apps and balance output..its not worth the money..at least for me

Integrated amp? I'll have a Burmester 032 please.

*Lyngdorf SDAI 1120 enters the chat*

The followers of New Record Day appear

@jeremiahchamberlin4499

2 жыл бұрын

Far more sophisticated than the followers of other reviewers of this system. You guys are not easily impressed. 🙂 I’m not sure I’m ready to spend $5,000.00 either, but the review didn’t have much to say about the streaming capability. Seemed like you picked on its weakest points, and I guess that’s your job. If it is the integrated amplifier you would pick if you could only pick one, I’m not sure the review told us why you would make that choice.

I would hope you would be able to "live" with a $5k integrated.... such sacrifices. ;)

Becsuse...Tolkien, in his infinite wisdom. Knew that life is never easy, and the difficulty breeds the character....you're welcome, NRD ..ill send an invoice...

@eruilluvitar

2 жыл бұрын

I always figured it was because arrows and Nazgul exist

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Haha! Got me! Send it on over to my admin, cheapaudioman@gmail.com

@stephenstevens6573

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 gotcha!@

Home Theater input?

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

I assume you mean home theater bypass? If so, they dropped the ball on that.

This is a subject that will not be settled by a youtube post. A lot of gizmos on this one but I doubt it would sound as good as my separates. And less face it, sound is what it is all about.

@dudemastermaster8944

2 жыл бұрын

Had a very similar thought.

@daleromney6062

2 жыл бұрын

@Eh.. I have all McIntosh separates and an LP12 TT.

I enjoyed the review. It was too short! I could’ve listened to you go further into detail for an hour plus. I have so many questions about the M33. Regardless, good job as always.

$5K. No. Too many other good alternatives. Off the top… Macintosh MA5300. Mark Levinson 5802 or 5805.

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your opinion and watching.

I see what you did there. (Obama meme)

It may be to much technology for your own good.

Why didn't they unload all the passengers from the Titanic onto the iceberg?

It’s all right, but no life to the sound. Just get a rega aethos and you’re set forever. Granted it doesn’t have the streaming stuff.

For $5000 I expected better

@dihydrotestosterone

2 жыл бұрын

Better what? In the audiophile world 5k is not much....

Thanks a lot for ruining everything Tolkien Ron! Jeez...

Nice review but can we stop calling integrated amp's amplifiers? If they stream media aren't they receivers? Let's leave the word "amplifiers" to only power amps 👍🏽

@hectorbonilla9433

2 жыл бұрын

I’m with you in the logic but I’m for it being triggered by the inclusion of a traditional , , tuner - the idea of receiving a signal was for radio broadcasts. Every other signal was via connections- this unit just internalized it.

RON Fukyeah

prefared my amstrad

For that kind of money I want something pretty.

wait..... a _paid promotion_ which included honest bashing? how refreshing. but youll not talk me out of my class A/B.

But it's so.... ugly. Like a chrome Pontiac Aztek.

nad used to make cheap and cheerful amps with reasonable sound quality; but this m33 is a piece o junk

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

Clearly you have spent quality time with it. 🤣😂😒

@davidweitendorf1053

2 жыл бұрын

For the price I agree, ditch the class d for a good A/B section, better DAC and phono section and balanced outputs and the price would make sense to me

@dihydrotestosterone

2 жыл бұрын

@@Newrecordday2013 exactly... 100%

No USB as standard is a disappointment for me.

This thing is doomed to be a ridiculously expensive paper weight or at best a furious money pit with a healthy dose of disappointment and frustration peppered in. Why? For the simple fact proven time after time, you never get one thing to do everything without it failing or worst becoming obsolete. It’s inevitable. Not to mention it’s unlikely to perform as well as separates not withstanding the nonexistent upgrade options. The biggest irony though is you have to keep a backup system handy for when it fails, and it will, to keep the music playing while your one box solution is in the shop. Sorry Ron, the answer on this one is definitely no.

@dihydrotestosterone

2 жыл бұрын

You're entitled to your opinion.....

Me been an actual audiophile i will never ever bye into the switching amplifier route, never ever ever ever, which ever way you you cut it, splice it, dice it. I just plain don't like the topology or its sound characteristic period. What you get for your £5000 is also a joke too. The best quality sounding sound systems period are not class D, and to put a finer point on it, they never will be. For the record my system has no problem with hearing the finer details of rustling papers, squeeky chairs, lip smacking, intakes of breath no matter how small and quiet, harmonic instrument definition and decays, piano foot pedals, reverberation, etc and so forth. Most certainly my system is not class D, and never will be. If you have never heard all the finer intimate details in a recording before hearing them with the M33, then obviously your system is certainly in no way a resolving system. The M33 is not the most resolving best sounding amplification device on this planet either, not by a long shot. You should be in no way telling everyone that something like the M33 is really that good, because sorry it is not, and it certainly is not for every serious audiophile either.

@nielschristiaans1263

2 жыл бұрын

Way to keep an open mind... As an audiophile, surely you should be open to innovations and alternatives to your current system to get even closer to the recorded music.

@user-xg6zz8qs3q

2 жыл бұрын

Your statement kinda defeats the purpose of the hobby, which is to mix and match components and appreciate other people's setups. But I also understand that you surely have a great system and that a £5000 Class D amplifier is not what you're looking for.

Have to unsubscribe - Best wishes but these are all starting to feel like commercials

@Newrecordday2013

2 жыл бұрын

No problem, thanks Chuck!