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NAD's audiophile-grade, Masters M2 digital amp

post #1 of 22
5/26/09 at 7:24pm
Thread Starter 
Update: NAD M2 up on NAD's Web Site


Description:

"Available Late Summer 2009

The NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier represents a new level of amplifier performance. Combining the ultra low distortion and noise levels of the finest linear Class A and Class AB amplifiers with the efficiency and streamlined signal path of the digital amplifier, the M2 is the first implementation of a new amplifier technology called Direct Digital Feedback. Co-developed with UK based Diodes Zetex Semiconductor, and using a unique implementation of their patented DDFA architecture, the M2 redefines what is possible with digital amplifier technology.

The M2 Direct Digital Amplifier represents the culmination of a decade long NAD research project, capped by three years of intense development. The resultfully justifies the investment. We believe that the M2 sets new benchmarks for both measured performance and subjective musical quality.

M2 Direct Digital Amplifier Features
* Direct Digital Amplifier
* 2 X 250W Continuous Power at 8 and 4 Ohms
* >500W IHF Dynamic Power
* <0.004% THD 20Hz - 20kHz from 500mW to 250W
* >120dB Dynamic Range
* 40uV Residual Noise
* >2000 Damping Factor at 50Hz +0/-0.5dB Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz, -3dB >85kHz
* Channel Separation >90dB @ 1kHz, 80dB @ 10kHz
* Digital PowerDrive
* Digital Soft Clipping (switchable)
* 5 Position Digital Impedance Compensation Filter

Analogue-to-Digital Conversion
* A/D Conversion for Analogue Inputs
* Multi-bit Delta/Sigma 24/216kHz
* 0.0004% THD
* Sample rate 32kHz - 192kHz
* 124dB S/N Ratio
* High Resolution 120dB Digital Attenuator

Ins and Outs
* Inputs Digital SPDIF: AES/EBU, Coaxial X 2, Optical X 2
* Inputs Analogue: Balanced, Single Ended
* Processor Loop: SPDIF Optical (Mac PC compatible) out/in
* 2 Sets of Speaker Binding Posts to facilitate Bi-wiring
* Remote Control

Control Options
* RS-232 serial data port
* IR Input
* 12V Trigger Input and Output
* <1W Standby Consumption
* 90% Amplifier Efficiency"


What should we expect from the NAD Masters M2?
(doesn't the photo in the article look like a photoshop'd M15?) er/"]What should we expect from the NAD Masters M2?[/size]
(doesn't the photo in the article look like a photoshop'd M15?)


Is the M2 essentially, a stereo, integrated, class-d amp? Would it be something akin to the Cherry digital amps - but - improved (significantly?) with volume control? 10-years in the making; is this going to be another classic from NAD? Will the, presumably inexpensive, non-masters version of this be the true classic?

I bet more than a few of us wish it had HDMI, 5.2 analog pre-outs and HBR Decoders for 7.1 True HD/DTS HDMA...

The press release is a bit vague, so what are your thoughts?
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post #2 of 22
5/26/09 at 9:28pm
This is what I can tell.

Audiophile Grade simply means it's audiophile priced. The word has no other meaning that I can tell.

It's a "true digital" class D. That means that it accepts digital as input and amplifies it without having to convert it to analog. The digital signals are converted to PCM, the PCM drives the power transistors, and after a final filter, the result is sent to the speaker terminals.

It would seem to be able to bypass use of a preamp for some users, which is a nice feature. In some ways, it behaves like an integrated for digital sources.

It does have an analog input, which one would expect is converted to digital as soon as possible.

It sounds like it might have a ""loop" for an external digital processor
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post #3 of 22
5/27/09 at 8:02am
Sounds like a TaCT in NADs' clothing without RC.

I'd be interested if it was a multi-channel receiver, but $6k for 2 channel... nope.
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post #4 of 22
5/27/09 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rnrgagne View Post

Sounds like a TaCT in NADs' clothing without RC.

I'd be interested if it was a multi-channel receiver, but $6k for 2 channel... nope.

Yeah, that's what makes me think that it could be something new and disruptive but I might just be blinded by marketing
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post #5 of 22
5/27/09 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnNY-C View Post

Yeah, that's what makes me think that it could be something new and disruptive but I might just be blinded by marketing

NAD's pretty straight up with their products - no doubt they found something they like in an all digital application and more importantly that they could do it at a quality and price point that matches their standards and pricing.

Given the history and performance of the Master Series to date, there's no reason to believe it won't be a great product. I'm not its' target market though.
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post #6 of 22
5/27/09 at 3:09pm
Quote:


Audiophile Grade simply means it's audiophile priced. The word has no other meaning that I can tell.

Agreed.

Quote:


It's a "true digital" class D. That means that it accepts digital as input and amplifies it without having to convert it to analog. The digital signals are converted to PCM, the PCM drives the power transistors, and after a final filter, the result is sent to the speaker terminals.

What is troubling is that if it is a true class D product would it them not be cheaper to produce since you would not need DAC's and the rest of the analog design.
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post #7 of 22
5/27/09 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audyssey2001 View Post

Agreed.



What is troubling is that if it is a true class D product would it them not be cheaper to produce since you would not need DAC's and the rest of the analog design.

That's what has me confused; I don't think they would price themselves out of the market. I'm still waiting for more news on this piece because a $6k stereo, solid state, integrated had better be, or do, *something* special.
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post #8 of 22
5/27/09 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audyssey2001 View Post

What is troubling is that if it is a true class D product would it them not be cheaper to produce since you would not need DAC's and the rest of the analog design.

If it's a proprietary design from start to finish, then early adpopters are going to have to foot the bill for the R&D more than the actual guts. It will have to have a pretty decent ADC and phono section to get into that price point I would think.
Oh, and I believe I read 300w/ch, which is a biggie that's not at all common in PWM amp designs.
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post #9 of 22
6/8/09 at 11:19am
Some Images of the M2 posted on the Official NAD Facebook page.
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post #10 of 22
6/10/09 at 12:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by firebook23 View Post

Some Images of the M2 posted on the Official NAD Facebook page.

"Become a fan" *click*
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post #11 of 22
6/13/09 at 11:06am
Any review of this piece yet? Sounds like a dream come true for TACT Millenium dreamers. Actually it's much more than that with built in room correction and all (if I read correctly). 6K is a bit optimistic, give it time I'd say street prices should be $3500.
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post #12 of 22
6/14/09 at 7:02pm
This is a high-end product for high-end buyers. Even if it doesn't get a lot of sales, it will get NAD a lot of press and sets the stage for the upcoming all digital 7.1 receiver. I think NAD wants to demonstrate that they are not moving to digital for higher profit margins. This is pretty exotic and expensive technology. I've talked with Greg about this unit at different times during the development. I'd love to own one, but I can't think of a passive speaker good enough to attach to it. If only it had a 6-channel amp and built in DEQX crossovers.............

Good news though, in theory, they could add an Audyssey module to the DSP outlet. I would be surprised if they're not working on that. I've been pushing that for awhile. The only trick is that most people that will buy a $6K amp won't admit to needing room correction or speaker correction, even though they probably do need it.
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post #13 of 22
6/14/09 at 8:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alimentall View Post

The only trick is that most people that will buy a $6K amp won't admit to needing room correction or speaker correction, even though they probably do need it.

It'd be the ultimate amp if they did it though. I'd get one in a heart beat. Actually I'd still get the M2, it's just a matter of when. Perhaps by the time I'm ready they'd have a cheaper model out with the same technology. This is more than just an evolution of class d. It should be the next generation amp that everyone who's concerned about accuracy should know about.
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post #14 of 22
1/7/10 at 9:27pm
Just spdif? No HDMI input? How do I get lossless HD audio?
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post #15 of 22
4/1/11 at 12:23pm
Stereophile 2010 Best Products
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post #16 of 22
4/1/11 at 2:18pm
You brought back a thread over a year old for that link?
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post #17 of 22
4/1/11 at 2:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman View Post

You brought back a thread over a year old for that link?

Must be a real NAD fanboy


GO......NAD

Sorry, I just couldn't help it

Cheers,
SB
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post #18 of 22
4/1/11 at 2:49pm
I just find it confusing when old threads come back. But in this case it's probably legit, because it's still being sold, and it's probably interesting to know that it's on some preferred component list.
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post #19 of 22
2/17/12 at 5:33pm
Is there anyone here who has this amp and can give some thoughts on it?
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post #20 of 22
2/17/12 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swingline39 View Post

Is there anyone here who ... can give some thoughts on it?

Sure. At $6k, the thing is priced at least $4.5k higher than what it's worth....
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post #21 of 22
2/17/12 at 6:13pm
And why do you think that?
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post #22 of 22
2/17/12 at 9:35pm
A used receiver as a pre amp combined with a Crown XLS series drivecore amp can give you almost the same capabilities for a lot less (the Crown lacks a direct digital inputs of course.)

I know, you will claim that combo may not match the sound of the NAD. That would need to be proven to me.

I feel $6000 is too much for what amounts to a integrated class D amp. Even though they are uncommon (this is the only one I know of,) that does not mean you have to have that combination.

For many people, all they really need is a way to feed their digital music source into an amp. There's a $60 iPod dock that will do that. But again, it's not a direct digital input in that case. But you could really pick the digital source of your choice and some sort of reasonably priced DAC/preamp whatever that's remote controlled into a Crown XLS class D amp and have great sound IMO.
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