Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile
Product of the Year 2020 – Stereophile
Integrated Amplifier of the Year 2020 – Stereophile
Editor's Choice 2020 – Stereophile
Advanced Features, Cutting-Edge Technology, and High Power
NAD's Masters M33 BluOS™ enabled DAC/amplifier is an ultra-high-performance streaming amplifier with superb audiophile sound. As a BluOS enabled component, the M33 can be combined with other players in a BluOS ecosystem of wirelessly networked music players throughout the home for an outstanding whole-home audio system.
Employing the new Purifi Eigentakt™ Hybrid Digital amplifier technology, the M33 follows NAD’s long-standing tradition in identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology. With a minimum of 200W per channel on tap, the result is lifelike performance, exemplified by ultra-low distortion and noise.
BluOS tightly integrates hardware and software for an exceptional user experience. The only true wireless High-Resolution multi-room system available today, BluOS supports the new standard for High Res streaming, Master Quality Authenticated (MQA). BluOS also supports over 20 free and paid subscription services as well as supporting locally stored music libraries. 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 never needs to be touched.
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the NAD M33 by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2024.
According to Stereophile, "The soundstage was full and wide, and there was the impression of significant weight and body. The M33, in one well-integrated and handsome box, replaces all the traditional components and can be operated from a smartphone or a tablet. Keep your beloved speakers and let the NAD M33 do everything else. It will do it all superbly."
Stereophile Product of the Year
The M33 won Product of the Year honors from Stereophile. Writing about "the long-anticipated fade-away of physical media," Kal Rubinson says, "It takes this complicated ecosystem and makes it simpler than ever… The amplification technology inside the M33 – Purifi's Eigentakt – has the potential to win over even the most anachronistic audiophiles."
But that's not all! Stereophile also honored the M33 as Integrated Amplifier of the Year and as an Editor's Choice product. You can't do better than that, and for pristine audio performance from digital and analog sources, you can't do better than the M33.
"NAD's new Masters Series M33 is, quite simply, a work of art," notes Daniel Kumin, Sound & Vision, November 4, 2020. "The M33 combines state-of-the-art sound, power, and broad functionality in an elegantly conceived package."
Ed Selly terms the M33 "Jack of all trades… Master of most of them to be honest," in his December 11, 2020 review for avforums.com. "This is a breathtakingly competent piece of equipment that combines a comprehensive spec and excellent performance."
DIRAC Live Room Correction Onboard
Experts agree that room acoustics are the weakest link in most sound systems, with room reflections deteriorating tonal balance and dynamics. Dirac, one of the most highly regarded Room Correction systems available, not only adjusts for frequency response, but unlike other room correction systems, it also optimizes the impulse response. By optimizing the speaker/room interface, music sounds more natural and lifelike.
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. Even the most sophisticated loudspeakers can be markedly improved using Dirac calibration. Each of the five Dirac memory slots can store a unique room measurement or different frequency target curves to suit a particular musical taste or genre. The M33 also supports Dirac’s advanced ‘Bass Control’* feature with two independent subwoofer outputs.
Flexibility Meets Long-Term Value
The M33 is very complete with a wide range of inputs and outputs. BluOS, Dirac, HDMI and other are 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 (Modular Design Construction) slots that allow for further expansion. NAD introduced the MDC platform well over a decade ago and allowed updating products with new technologies which didn’t even exist at time of introduction.
Connection and Wireless Flexibility
Whether you are looking to connect digital or analog sources, the M33 comes well equipped to accommodate all of these It has six digital inputs and three analog inputs, including MM phono. Around back, the rear panel hosts two sets of speaker outputs capable of bi-wiring and a stereo Subwoofer Output with a fully configurable Digital Crossover. Airplay 2 and Bluetooth AptX-HD allow for local wireless streaming from a phone or tablet.
Phono and Headphones Get Special Attention, Too
The M33 has a high-quality MM phono input 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.
Headphone enthusiasts will delight at the sound of the discrete headphone amplifier, which is able to drive even planar and high impedance studio phones. With high voltage and low output impedance, headphones will sound their best. For those who wish to enjoy their headphones but don't want to be tethered to a cable, the integrated Bluetooth AptX-HD module makes it simple to possible to enjoy wireless headphones as well.
Attractive Design with Outstanding Ergonomics
The M33 employs a completely modern and fresh take on the traditional stereo amplifier, with features and performance for the future. The all-alloy casework is elegant yet practical. The single control knob for volume is supplemented by a colour TFT touchscreen display. Rigid panels with magnetic iso-point feet provide a solid foundation for the multi-layer circuit boards and intricate internal construction.
Smart Home Integration Made Easy
BluOS provides hands-free control with full integration of any Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. Through Airplay 2, control is also possible with Siri. Considerable effort has been spent to make the M33 fully compatible with all the leading smart home systems from leading companies like Apple, Crestron, Control4, Lutron, KNX and many others. This means that along with lighting, shades, HVAC, and security, the integrator or user can seamlessly control the BluOS multi-room music system from a common interface. All integrations are certified for reliable operation. The custom BluOS Apps for iOS and Android tablets and phones, as well as desktop control from Windows and Apple OS are available free-of-charge and are updated regularly.
Note: Some features will be available via a future software update
BluOS Adds Pandora and Presto Music Services
Bluesound is excited to announce the integration of the popular Pandora and Presto Music services into the BluOS platform.
Pandora offers exceptional music discovery features and curated radio stations. Its integration offers BluOS music lovers access to another seamless and intuitive way to enjoy their favorite tracks and discover new music based on listeners' tastes.
Presto Music specializes in classical and jazz recordings with high-quality content. In select markets, users can now savor Presto Music's vast collection of classical and jazz recordings. With a library boasting 200,000 albums in CD-quality and 34,000 albums in stunning 24-bit/192kHz, subscribers will revel in a focused, extensive, and continuously expanding catalog. The service is tailored with a powerful search engine designed explicitly for classical and jazz music, offering rich composers, artists, and genre profiles, recommendations, and featured releases.
To access these new services, simply update to the latest firmware and download the BluOS Controller App (version 4.2.0) from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or bluos.io/downloads.