Integrated Amp Reviews

NAD Masters Series M32 DirectDigital D/A integrated amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Remote-controlled, network-connected D/A integrated amplifier. Standard: Analog inputs: 2 pairs RCA (line), 1 pair RCA (phono). Digital input: USB Type B. Analog outputs: 1 pair unbalanced (RCA), 1¼" stereo headphone jack, 4 pairs speaker binding posts. Digital outputs: 1 TosLink, 1 coaxial S/PDIF. Optional modules included on review sample: MDC DD S/PDIF provides AES/EBU, 2 TosLink, 2 coaxial S/PDIF; MDC DD-BluOS provides Bluetooth, Ethernet, 2 USB Type A. Supported file formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MQA. Supported cloud services: Classics Online, Deezer, HDtracks, HighResAudio, Juke, KKBox, Microsoft Groove (with OneDrive), Murfie, Napster, Qobuz, Slacker Radio, Spotify, Tidal, WiMP. Maximum continuous output power: >150Wpc into 8 ohms (21.8dBW) and 4 ohms (18.8dBW). Clipping power: 165Wpc into 8 ohms (22.2dBW). IHF dynamic power: 190W into 8 ohms (22.8dBW), 380W into 4 ohms (22.8dBW), 440W into 2 ohms (20.4dBW). Maximum output current: >18A. Frequency response: 20Hz–96Hz, 0.5dB at 192kHz sample rate. Channel separation: >90dB (ref. 10kHz at 1/3 rated power into 4 ohms). Signal/noise: >95dB (A-weighted, ref. 1W), >124dB (A-weighted, ref. 150W). Damping factor: 800. THD: <0.005% (20Hz–20kHz, 500mW-rated power, with AES17 and AP passive 20kHz LP filters). Power consumption: 40W idle, <0.5W standby.
Finish: Silver & Black.
Dimensions: 17.125" (435mm) W by 5.25" (133mm) H by 15" (380mm) D. Weight: 21.6 lbs (9.8kg) net, 40.7 lbs (18.5kg) shipping.
Serial number of unit reviewed: H69M3201215; "Designed and engineered in Canada, custom manufactured to NAD specifications in China."
Price: $3999, including MDC DD S/PDIF module; MDC DD-BluOS module, $399; MDC DD-HDMI-1 module, $299. Approximate number of dealers: 100. Warranty: 3 years, parts & labor.
Manufacturer: NAD Electronics International, 633 Granite Court, Pickering, Ontario L1W 3K1, Canada. Tel: (905) 831-6555. Fax: (905) 831-6936. Web: www.nadelectronics.com.

COMPANY INFO
NAD Electronics International
633 Granite Court
Pickering, Ontario L1W 3K1
Canada
(905) 831-6555
www.nadelectronics.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Scintilla's picture
Submitted by Scintilla on April 27, 2018 - 1:06pm

Reviewing your test results, John, it is hard to argue this is a better solution than using an M51/C510 paired with a good-quality conventional amplifier. Your tests of the M51 noise-floor revealed approximately 21 bits of resolution and pairing that with a high-current, low noise class A-A/B power amp with a high S/N ratio looks like a significantly better solution to me. All you gain here is some convenience with BluOS and maybe the potential for in-built 2-channel Dirac processing on an MDC board. Frankly, I'd rather have my Krell delivering the current than this class-D amplifier and I think NAD has objectively taken a step backwards with this product vs. the now-discontinued M51. Booo.

cundare's picture
Submitted by cundare on July 11, 2018 - 6:32pm

There's an easy way to do this. Tell your head you're tapping in 12/8. The rhythm abruptly becomes obvious, like when a hidden Magic Eye 3D image snaps into place.

Long-time listener's picture
Submitted by Long-time listener on April 10, 2021 - 6:20am

After a period of use, I can agree with a lot of what John Atkinson says here. Sound is generally clean and clear, and fairly detailed. I do note that its balance is indeed a little bit light, as he said. I usually use the tone controls to add 0.5 decibels of bass, and sometimes as much as 1 decibel, just to counter the amplifier's own lack of weight in the bass. But the worst is that I can't get away from feeling that there's some hardness or harshness in the upper mids and treble--so for my money, Class D still hasn't come of age. This is in comparison with my old 150-watt rated NAD solid-state C272 power amp, and also with an Onkyo TX-8020 receiver, which I frankly prefer

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