Thanks Mike. My typical listening ranges from 70-80dB SPL - occasionally louder. And that is the range where the amp really does start to open up; listening at 90 dB SPL is pretty loud but at that level it sounds terrific, so your explanation regarding an engineering point of view makes sense perfectly.
NAD M33
Hello everybody...
I recently purchased a NAD M33 integrated amp - I got a great deal on an open box. Having had it for about a week after going through all the struggles involved with setup (BluOS, getting it to work w/ my WiFi, etc.), and then listening to it using Tidal, by Bluetooth files (all ALAC), and playing my turntable, I have to say that I am less than impressed.
Before I complain, I must say that it does sound great through my old Klipsch Heresy II's (which are for sale BTW) in terms of detail, soundstage, etc. However, in order to get the most out of it, I have to turn it up. In fact, it is barely audible below -50 dB (the volume goes from -80 to 0dB), especially when using the phono. It doesn't really open up until around -30dB with Tidal, and -20dB on the turntable. I find that troublesome at some level. I mean, the amp is a 200 watt system so I would expect to be getting something out of it almost immediately (ie., -65dB).
Are my expectations out of wack here? Has anyone had similar experiences with the M33?
Thanks!
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- 11 posts total
Hi Freezoner @mike_in_nc is correct - the volume indication is not something you should worry about. Think of it this way: when it indicates -65db - it is suppressing the line stage input to the amplifier by 65 db (not referring to how loud, but how much attenuation of the signal). For most speakers, it would be barely a whisper. I’m guessing 0 db through your Klipsch Heresy’s would border on painful. I used to own the M33 in a system a while back and it was typical to run the volume between -35 up to -20 (with somewhat inefficient speakers). At -20, it was louder tthan I wanted for most music. Dbs are how professional rigs measure signal suppression. |
mgrif104 Thank you very much! |
- 11 posts total