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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!

freezoner
freezoner OP
27 posts
 

I have an Audio Technica AT150SA cartridge:

Output Voltage: 4.0 mV

Load Impedance: 47 kΩ

Load Capacitance: 100 – 200 pF

mgrif104
560 posts
 

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. 

freezoner OP
27 posts
 
mgrif104 Thank you very much!
bluorion
524 posts
 

Do you have any other speakers that you can try with the M33 or borrow from a friend? I always read that class D amps weren't nearly as good as tubes or class A with high efficiency speakers like the Heresys. That's a lot of power--be careful not to blow a driver. Good luck---keep us posted.

seasidelps
15 posts
 

crank that VC until you get the action you need and disregard the numbers shown.  I used it in all its configurations. bi-amping it internally didn't yield much more than the single amp config. It gets most speakers moving pretty well but if you stretch its legs, it ends up showing you the limits of its power.  I will say it's an impressive bit of gear for most though.  IMO it has a bit too many options for the average user to "get wrong" in the setup leaving the user to misinterpret the misconfiguration as something being wrong with the unit.  I found using it as a digital source unity gain/pre-out into my Audio Palette for the final VC... tolerable...which is basically a thumbs up;)

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