Component of the Year
NAD M33 integrated amplifier ($4999; reviewed by Kal Rubinson, October 2020, Vol.43 No.10 Review)
Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Audio Research Reference 160S stereo power amplifier ($20,000; reviewed by Jim Austin, February 2020, Vol.43 No.2 Review)
HoloAudio May (Level 3) D/A processor ($4998; reviewed by Herb Reichert & John Atkinson, August & September 2020, Vol.43 Nos.8 & 9 Review)
Krell K-300i integrated amplifier ($7000 plus $1000 for DAC option; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, December 2019, Vol.42 No.12 Review)
Magico M2 loudspeaker ($56,000/pair plus $7500 for MPod Bases; reviewed by John Atkinson, February 2020, Vol.43 No.2 Review)
Volti Audio Razz loudspeaker ($5999/pair; reviewed by Tom Gibbs, August 2020, Vol.43 No.8 Review)
Wilson Audio Sasha DAW loudspeaker ($37,900/pair; reviewed by Sasha Matson, January 2020, Vol.43 No.1 Review) Life is good for the NAD M33—winner of both our amplification component prize and this, the overall prize for Component of the Year 2020. What can I write here that I haven't written above? The last few years have brought a fundamental change to music-listening. Sure, it's true that vinyl is thriving (which I'm very happy about, except for the effect it has had on used-vinyl prices). But meanwhile, otherwise, the long-anticipated fade-away of physical media is finally actually occurring, because streaming services have become ubiquitous and also very good. Meanwhile, much other music has gone virtual, via downloads, ripped CDs, and the odd vinyl needle drop. And let's not forget about smartphones, tablets, internet radio stations, podcasts. Factor in multiroom audio and wireless speakers (and other output devices), and you have a music-reproduction ecosystem utterly different than it was just a few years ago—and far more complicated.
Devices like the M33 bring order to the chaos. It takes this complicated ecosystem and makes it simpler than ever.
At least as important for Stereophile and its readers is that it does all that with unassailable quality. Sure, there are people out there who will prefer the sound of their tube or class-A amplifier, but the amplification technology inside the M33—Purifi's Eigentakt—has the potential to win over even the most anachronistic audiophiles.
About the Vote
A clear win for the NAD, with two premium loudspeakers—the Magico M2 and the Wilson Audio Sasha DAW—tied for second place a few votes back.
Finalists (in alphabetical order)Audio Research Reference 160S stereo power amplifier ($20,000; reviewed by Jim Austin, February 2020, Vol.43 No.2 Review)
HoloAudio May (Level 3) D/A processor ($4998; reviewed by Herb Reichert & John Atkinson, August & September 2020, Vol.43 Nos.8 & 9 Review)
Krell K-300i integrated amplifier ($7000 plus $1000 for DAC option; reviewed by Jason Victor Serinus, December 2019, Vol.42 No.12 Review)
Magico M2 loudspeaker ($56,000/pair plus $7500 for MPod Bases; reviewed by John Atkinson, February 2020, Vol.43 No.2 Review)
Volti Audio Razz loudspeaker ($5999/pair; reviewed by Tom Gibbs, August 2020, Vol.43 No.8 Review)
Wilson Audio Sasha DAW loudspeaker ($37,900/pair; reviewed by Sasha Matson, January 2020, Vol.43 No.1 Review) Life is good for the NAD M33—winner of both our amplification component prize and this, the overall prize for Component of the Year 2020. What can I write here that I haven't written above? The last few years have brought a fundamental change to music-listening. Sure, it's true that vinyl is thriving (which I'm very happy about, except for the effect it has had on used-vinyl prices). But meanwhile, otherwise, the long-anticipated fade-away of physical media is finally actually occurring, because streaming services have become ubiquitous and also very good. Meanwhile, much other music has gone virtual, via downloads, ripped CDs, and the odd vinyl needle drop. And let's not forget about smartphones, tablets, internet radio stations, podcasts. Factor in multiroom audio and wireless speakers (and other output devices), and you have a music-reproduction ecosystem utterly different than it was just a few years ago—and far more complicated.
A clear win for the NAD, with two premium loudspeakers—the Magico M2 and the Wilson Audio Sasha DAW—tied for second place a few votes back.
