Stereophile's Products of 2020 Amplification Component of the Year

Amplification Component of the Year

NAD M33 integrated amplifier ($4999; reviewed by Kal Rubinson, October 2020, Vol.43 No.10 Review)

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Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Audio Research Reference 160S power amplifier ($20,000; reviewed by Jim Austin, February 2020, Vol.43 No.2 Review)
Benchmark LA4 preamplifier ($2599; reviewed by Kal Rubinson, January 2020, Vol.43 No.1 Review)
Classé Delta Mono monoblock power amplifier ($21,998/pair; reviewed by John Atkinson, July 2020, Vol.43 No.7 Review)
Krell K-300i integrated amplifier ($7000, plus $1000 for DAC Board; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, December 2019, Vol.42 No.12 Review)
Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblock power amplifier ($16,990; reviewed by John Atkinson, June 2020, Vol.43 No.6 Review)

The times they are a-changin'.

Last year's winner in this category was a minimalist preamplifier: The Pass Laboratories XP-22. This year's winner is a component so multifunctional that we weren't even sure how to classify it: Is it an amplifier or a streaming DAC?

It's both and much more. For $4999, NAD includes a streaming DAC, Dirac Live room correction, Bluetooth aptX HD (which, in my view, makes Bluetooth good enough for audiophiles, at least for casual use), MM and MC phono preamplification, and BluOS, which allows you to manage your music from an iPad and supports all the major streaming services (and some of the minor ones). This one component replaces everything but a pair of speakers (and physical disc players if you use them) and speaker wire. It does all those things well. Somehow, the NAD M33 makes it all simple.

Make no mistake, the M33 is an amplifier. Its 200Wpc output stage is based on Purifi's Eigentakt technology, which may prove to be the technology that establishes class-D unambiguously as a true high-end amplification technology, even among skeptical audiophiles. (Some of us have long been convinced.) In his review, Kal Rubinson concluded that the M33's Purifi technology "is fully competitive with more expensive, separate power amps." At a hair less than $5000, the M33 is also well-priced.

About the Vote
The NAD was the clear-cut winner in this category, listed on four-fifths of the final ballots, split almost equally between first and second place. (There was one third-place vote.) Only one component came within spitting distance: the Audio Research Reference 160S tubed stereo power amplifier ($20,000), which I reviewed in the February 2020 issue, and which was mentioned on two-thirds of the ballots. The other finalists split the remaining vote almost evenly.

COMMENTS
mtrot's picture

No doubt an exceptional product but lacks both a USB-B port and a true home theater bypass, which makes it a no-go for me.

Kal Rubinson's picture

Update for USB in the pipeline. It will be in the form of an MDC module.

mtrot's picture

Excellent! Good to know.

pvasseur's picture

I purchased an M33 recently and unfortunately it had to be returned because it would not output enough to power my subs (JLA fathoms).
The sub output on this unit is 1.1v, truly pitiful. Did you hook up sub(s) to your unit? This is apparently a widespread issue, the same problem existed with the M10 and it was quickly "revised" to a v2 version with better output voltage. I got stuck with a 15% restock fee for what I feel is a faulty design.

Kal Rubinson's picture

I used the output with 3 JL subs via the JL CR-1 Active Subwoofer Crossover. I had not noticed the low output spec but it was not an issue in my application.

pvasseur's picture

thanks Kal. i thought i might have a defective unit but there are too many folks out there with the same issue. the M10 had the same problem and has been updated with a v2, likely the same will happen with the M33.
all the best

Anotherbob's picture

It’s not designed for a home theatre application, at least not yet. There are two expansion ports so who knows what may come in the future. Yes, if you must have a shitty sounding USB cable, this is not for you. I love mine and use it almost exclusively for streaming Qobuz, amazing sound.

BlackH20's picture

A whole article on cost, you have already lost generations by arguing over the wire and can't let a young working man get into the basic hobby or even understand the value in it.

tonykaz's picture

If you were young again, which of today's gear choices would you invest in?

I'm thinking Schiit & PS Audio probably.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Tony in Venice

PeterG's picture

Yes on Schiit and PS. Let's add in NAD, Bluesound, and lower priced B&W

tonykaz's picture

like a ultra-niche watering hole for eclectics ( something like me ) featuring artistic writing on rather intellectual subjects like 'transparency'. This might be an out-of-the-way Bar where the Audiophile Junta meet in semi-secret. hmm.

and yet,

The group's nominated Product of the Year is a Chinesium , of all things.

Why wasn't it Chad Kassem's Company and thier work in accessible High Quality Music ? It could've be a No.1 choice.

or

the Schiit Company for making Audiophile gear available to anyone that can afford cigarettes.

Stereophile has a higher calling than a normal glossy Mag.

Stereophile is the Carrier/Keeper/Curator & Documentor of a beautiful Music Culture where, I'm hoping, rising prices won't be the measure of raising the Bar.

The Audiophiliac remains my nomination for Audiophile of the Year.

Tony in Venice

Glotz's picture

Goes to YOU, Tony!

Kudos.

monetschemist's picture

This comment:

"Best of all, readers who bought one because of the review emailed me to say they were thrilled.—Michael Fremer

Here we have a reviewer, who has been "doing this" for a long time, who is at the top of his game, who impresses both manufacturers and readers for his efforts, who has the reputation and technical chops to review 6 figure audio equipment.

And here, where we might therefore expect to see swagger and an "I told you so" attitude, we see instead his delight in readers who are pleased by his recommendations.

Thank you, Mr. Fremer, for sharing your wisdom and experience and for maintaining your humanity.

Glotz's picture

For giving me incredible, accurate recommendations every year!
I put my money where their mouths are!

Despite Corona virus whupping the world economy's ass, I bought in 2020:

PS Audio Stellar phono preamp (Stereophile- MF)
Benchmark HPA4 line/headphone amp (KR)
Hana ML cartridge (HR)
NAD C427 tuner
Schiit Modius DAC (Analog Planet- ML)
Magneplanar 1.7i speakers
REL T5i subwoofers -2
HiFi Man He-400i headphones
AudioQuest Colorado XLR & RCA interconnects
AudioQuest Carbon Coax and USB interconnects
Shunyata Defender
Audio Reference LP Carbonmat record mat
Aesthetics ABCD-1 Demagnetizer
Belles 150a Hot Rod amp re-chip (ST)
Soundsmith Carmen 1 cartridge re-tip (HR).

All of the parenthesis show which reviewer recommended it, and I feel their perceptions on every product were spot-on accurate. The rest of the equipment were also well reviewed and recommended by other magazines.

I truly thank them for reporting on their observations, insights, and thoroughness when reviewing. My trust is shown by purchasing this gear!

I also thank them all for fun and truly superlative writing! And to JA for his measurements and insights...

The take-away is great sound isn't by accident. We need great writers who adhere to truth and art, and understand the fine line between both and make salient recommendations for the audience they believe it fits.

And thank you to Stereophile and its web presence (and the AP), where real audio debate and discovery are available to everyone.

davemill's picture

I'll second Sterophile's gear advice with one notable exception. Gear that is manufactured and designed in China is a definite no go for me. This includes such companies as Holoaudio and Denafrips. I will not support communists. My wife grew up under communism in Romania. I also avoid gear that is manufactured in China although if I wasn't fortunate to have funds for a higher budget I might be tempted to buy the lower end B&W and NAD equipment. That being said I am very happy with the following purchases I made over the past 12 months.

Revel PerformaBe F228 (KR)
Parasound Halo A21+ (KR)
Shunyata Research Denali 6000/S v2 power distributor
Shunyata Research Sigma XC and 2 Alpha NR v2 power cords
Shunyata Research CopperConn duplex outlet

The impact of the Shunyata products was mind-blowing to me. I will likely replace my Synergistic Research interconnects and speaker cables with Shunyata's new v2 products in 2021.

YRMV

Glotz's picture

Killer speakers and amp!

I do love Shunyata's approach to their entire line. While I don't like the Venom interconnects, I do love and use the speaker cables. But I will be looking to the V2 line next year, probably the Deltas.

DougM's picture

I'm glad you're all so wealthy that you think a piece of gear that costs $3k or more isn't expensive. Looking at the list of all winners and runners-up, to my mind the only two items that I wouldn't call expensive are the Audioquest Cobalt DAC, and the Stylustimer, and the Cobalt is still a serious amount of money to the average American. In these times of covid, when millions are out of work or underemployed and are just trying to pay the rent and put food on the table, try taking 100 random people off the street and show them these prices and ask them if they think any of them aren't expensive. You're clueless about what goes on in the real world outside of your bubble where a writer for a stupid audio magazine can afford to buy turntables and speakers that cost $100k. You should change the name of Stereophile to Hedge Fund Audio Times, or Toys for the One Percent.

MatthewT's picture

Someone forcing you to spend your money on this gear?

ChrisS's picture

...Stereophile for products at your particular price points,

DougM, stop reading Stereophile altogether.

You will save a lot of money on head gaskets.

JBO's picture

I'm hopeful that Larry Greenhill could let us all know who Jeff Hetfield is. Because he most certainly is not in Metallica.

Jim Austin's picture

Not mine, or not directly. Sincere apologies.

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

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