In fact, NAD also announced at the show that select NAD Masters, Classic, Theatre and Digital Series models are now high-resolution audio (HRA) certified. All models meet or exceed the standards for HRA systems set out by the Japan Audio Society (JAS) and the US Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
The new M32 Direct Digital Amplifier (€4000, $3499 U.S. MSRP) is an elegant, top-of-the-line, BluOS-ready integrated amplifier with a host of features that offer maximum flexibility and excellent efficiency with reduced noise and distortion. M32 also includes a phono input and a dedicated headphone amplifier to accommodate all kinds of experiences.
The M50.2 Digital Music Player (€4500, $3999 U.S. MSRP) is ideal for anyone that doesn’t like having a computer tied-up for playing music and offers high resolution and multi-room wireless streaming to other BluOS enabled speakers, with 24/192 storage, and CD ripping all in one elegant component. The M50.2 is a top-of-the-line, BluOS enabled player that is an extension to the company’s popular 40th anniversary M50/M51/M52 Digital Music Suite combining the functions of both the M50 and M52 into one single package. Offering only digital outputs, but including AES/EBU and HDMI, the only addition needed is a complementary DAC or Digital Preamp such as the Masters Series own M12 and M17 models.
NAD has a storied history in integrated amplifiers dating back more than forty years. With the M32 however, NAD is reinventing the integrated amplifier, as we know it. DirectDigital amplification combines all pre-amplification and power amplification functions into a single amplifying stage. With 150W x2, the M32 is a true digital amp (not just Class D) that is computer controlled and amplifies entirely in the digital domain, converting to analog only at the speaker terminals. This gives it the shortest signal path possible.
As for the M32’s advanced design architecture, flexibility and expandability are front and center. There are four MDC (Modular Design Construction) slots with three for customization and expandability and all are 24/192 capable. Among the most compelling features on the M32 is that it is multi-room and high-res ready with the optional BluOS module that can occupy one of the MDC slots, creating a fully integrated solution. BluOS is an advanced operating system for music management and control that includes support for local NAS drives and premium internet streaming audio services like Spotify, Tidal and many others.
Users can control BluOS with any smartphone or tablet and can take advantage of extensive 3rd party control system integration. Moreover, NAD products are fully compatible with Bluesound Wireless Multi-room systems (NAD is a member of the Lenbrook Group of Companies, which also includes PSB Speakers and Bluesound) for complete wired/wireless mix-and-match system flexibility.
Inputs include AES/EBU, Coax and Optical, MM Phono, single-ended Line Inputs, and asynchronous USB 2.0 (24/192) for computer input. On the output side, there is a dedicated high performance headphone amplifier with a ¼” jack on the front, while the rear panel hosts two sets of speaker outputs capable of bi-wiring and a dedicated subwoofer output with a fully configurable digital crossover.
The M50.2 Digital Music Player is a major upgrade on the company’s landmark M50 introduced four years ago. Heralded as a bold step forward in digital music reproduction, the M50.2 builds upon its predecessor’s legacy with a variety of performance upgrades and innovative features, making home audio networking simpler. Users can digitize and centrally store their music library, up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, and then make it available to other BluOS-enabled components throughout the home.
And BluOS offers a broad array of music sources for high resolution playback, including directly download of High Res music without a computer, stream from a cloud service, or plug-in an existing digital music library from a hard drive. The M50.2 also features an updated processor and the bright control panel with TFT touch panel display stands-out in any setup. Other important features on the M50.2 include wireless (Wi-Fi) and gigabit Ethernet inputs, automatic ripping of CD to internal RAID of two 2TB hard drives, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, WMA, AAC, and Ogg support.
Connectivity includes SPDIF coaxial and optical outputs, AES/EBU, HDMI output, USB for mass storage mode, USB inputs (one in the front (host) and one in the rear (device), RS-232 for external control, IR in/out and IR remote control. The M50.2 player also supports Bluetooth streaming from mobile devices, including AptX and supports software updates for support of further services and formats (including MQA decoding).
“NAD has redefined the modern audio component system in an entirely new way, starting with the M2 DirectDigital Amplifier a few years ago and culminating last year with the groundbreaking M12 Preamp DAC and M22 power amplifier” explained Greg Stidsen Director of Technology and Product Planning for NAD Electronics. “NAD has eliminated obsolescence with Modular Design Construction while expanding the frontiers of connectivity with BluOS. The M32 and M50.2 are not just future proof, they are the future.”
nadelectronics.com
