Full product details
10% Off every item over £1500, put Coupon "INFLATION10" in the Checkout for your discount to be applied
NAD Masters Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier 2 x 180W – M3
With 2-channels of 180-watts of pure power, we're quite certain the M3 meets the outline of our technical brief which reads, "The industrial design must create a physical presence that is powerful, dynamic and solid, yet refined and elegant." We're certain we've met the challenge of this outline as well as your personal requirements.
The M3 includes an entire host of convenient features to allow seamless integration into virtually any listening application. The M3 offers internal switching for two pairs of speakers and tone controls as well as a second Zone 2 output with independent commands and even its own remote control.
Front panel controls allow for direct access of all features as well. Performance features are many, and include a precision volume attenuator with 0.5dB steps and a range of 87.5db, a remote balance control with 0.5dB steps, and a Mode control which allows stereo, left only, right only and mono settings. Tone controls offer bass and treble adjustments as well as a "spectral tilt" option that is highly effective at correcting the tonal balance of many recordings by simultaneously increasing the bass and decreasing the treble (and vice versa) to create a warmer or cooler balance. There are also a second set of preamp outputs and a switchable high-pass filter for the internal amplifier, to allow easy implementation of any active subwoofer or for bi-amplification.
M3 Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier Features
• 180 watts X 2, 10Hz - 20kHz, with 0.03THD, both channels driven into 8 or 4 Ohms
• Dynamic power of 280 watts at 8 Ohms, 480 watts at 4 Ohms, and 785 watts at 2 Ohms
• PowerDrive
• Dual stage high current/high voltage power supply
• Dual Mono topology
• Twin NAD Custom-Made "Holmgren" Toroidal transformer
• Ultra precise multi-stage electronic volume control using discreet resistors
• 7 inputs, including 1 balanced XLR
• Tape/Zone 2 output (independent source selection, no volume control)
• Speakers A B with custom 5 way binding posts
• Biamp mode with selectable 40, 60, 80, 100 Hz crossover frequency on Pre Out 1
• Powered subwoofer
• Main Amp input
• Remote Bass and Treble controls with Spectral Tilt option
• Remote Balance control with 0.5 dB steps
• Selectable Mono, Left, Right, and Stereo options
• RS-232 interface for advanced custom installations
• 12V Trigger for advanced control options, 1 Out
• 3.5mm IR Control jacks, 1 In and 2 Out
• Detachable AC cord
• M3 System Remote Control
• ZR 3 second zone remote
ANALOG SOUND, DIGITAL CONTROL
The M3 is NAD’s concept of the ideal musical companion, capable of transporting the listener to that place where the music simply exists in its own perfect space. For this task we have pushed classical analog circuit design to unprecedented levels of performance. The total lack of audible noise and distortion is the result of some very sophisticated analog engineering, and rather surprisingly, the use of digital control.
Freed of the constraints of traditional analog switches, NAD’s Director of Advanced Development, Bjorn Erik Edvardsen devised an architecture using precision 1% resistors controlled by digital switches for all the level adjustments required for volume control, balance control and tone control. (Yes we still believe in tone controls – more on that later.) Input selection is via precision sealed reed relays. A major advantage of this architecture, in addition to its extremely precise performance, is the ability to place controls in the most advantageous physical position within the circuit. The signal never has to travel to the front panel for switching, as with traditional amplifier designs. Getting to the infinitesimal levels of noise and distortion of the M3 requires very careful circuit layout, as only tiny changes in the signal path can have large effects on performance. Keeping signal paths as short as possible is also greatly aided by the use of SMD (miniature surface mount) components and multi-layer PCBs (circuit boards).
LUXURIOUS STYLING AND INTELLIGENT CONTROL
The design brief reads: “The industrial design must create a physical presence that is powerful, dynamic, and solid, yet refined and elegant”. We wanted a design that will still look fresh and new a decade from now, a design with classic proportions and understated details. We also wanted an amplifier that was not only easy to operate, but also very flexible and complete in its control options.
Unlike many high performance amplifiers, the M3 includes a full suite of convenience features. Speaker switching for two pairs of speakers and very flexible tone controls are provided, as is a Zone 2 output with its own independent set of commands and dedicated ZR 3 remote control. Front panel controls use a multi-function knob and buttons to quickly navigate all amplifier functions. All operating conditions are clearly displayed on a 2 line dot matrix VFD display. Direct access is available to many functions via the SRM 3 remote handset. The SRM 3 handset also features basic controls for the matching NAD DVD/SACD player.
Performance features include a multi-stage precision volume attenuator with 0.5dB steps and a range of 87.5dB, a remote balance control with 0.5dB steps, and a Mode control that allows stereo, left only, right only, and mono settings. Tone controls offer bass and treble adjustment, as well as a ‘spectral tilt’ option that is highly effective at correcting the tonal balance of many recordings by simultaneously increasing the bass and decreasing the treble (and vice versa) to create a warmer (or cooler) balance. We have also included a second set of preamp outputs and a switchable high pass filter for the internal amplifier, to allow easy implementation of an active subwoofer or biamplification.
The rugged chassis is built using thick 2mm mild steel plates with a front panel employing extruded aluminum and die-cast zinc in its construction. Special attention was paid to the control of mechanical resonance, as this can affect sonic performance. Special isolation feet use aluminum and silicon rubber in a vibration damping configuration. All signal connectors are heavy duty gold plated types specifically engineered for the NAD Masters Series components. Finished inside and out, the M3 utilizes powder coating and advanced automotive paint finishes, creating an enduring and elegant mechanical package.
PREAMP DESIGN
The preamp uses all discrete low noise high impedance J-FET buffer amps and very high quality reed relay switches at the preamp input. Special high current low output impedance Class A gain modules provide tremendous dynamic headroom and high output current, combined with a exceptional S/N ratio in excess of -100dB (IHF).
The volume attenuator is very unique in that it uses discrete 1% precision resistors that keep impedance (and noise) very low. It is arrayed in 3 stages to reduce the residual noise in each amplifying stage and prevent the ‘cascade effect’ of noise that is present in most preamp designs. This circuit also provides the balance control, and as a result channel separation is superb and inter-channel cross talk is virtually eliminated. These resistor arrays are switched using 15 volt digital switches under software control, keeping all attenuation at the ideal point in the circuit architecture. Low impedance stepped tone controls provide +/- 5 db of boost/cut in the bass and treble regions, or can be configured to provide variable slope, or ‘spectrum tilt’ at +/- 3dB per decade.
Biamp function allows the use of a second amplifier or active subwoofer PreOut 2, and offers a high pass filter function on PreOut 1, with selectable 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz or Full Range options. These are analog 2nd order filters configured around the low impedance differential Class A output stage of the preamp. This output stage also employs proprietary distortion cancellation circuitry.
A balanced line input is also provided using identical JFET buffers feeding a discrete differential amp and yielding common mode rejection in excess of 80dB.
Separately regulated DC supplies are derived from the dual mono power supply. Copper buss bars and discrete regulators keep circuit noise to an absolute minimum throughout. The display and digital functions operate from an independent power supply to prevent any interference with the analog signal path.
POWER AMP HIGHLIGHTS
The M3 features a Dual Mono design with separate unregulated, and discrete regulated supplies for different stages of the 2 channels. The twin custom-made “Holmgren” toroidal transformers use proprietary magnetic shielding technology. High current rectifiers feed low ESR 105C filter capacitors.
NAD’s PowerDrive technology measures load impedance continuously on each channel and adjusts the power supply voltage for maximum undistorted dynamic power into the connected speaker at all times and under all operating conditions. The signal processor also continuously measures temperature and average long term power and, based on this information, chooses the optimum voltage.
PowerDrive allows the M3 to sound far more powerful than its already impressive 180 watt per channel rating would suggest. Totally effortless sound, even at elevated levels, is the hallmark of the PowerDrive amplifier.
The M3 utilizes a wideband current-mode Class A voltage amp featuring large open loop compensated bandwidth, and running from low noise stabilised power supplies. NAD’s patented current amp output stage starts with < 0.02 % static and dynamic distortion open loop (before feedback), even into 3 ohms at 20-20k at all levels. By utilizing small amounts of feedback the circuit returns distortion levels at all audible frequencies that are at limit of measurement – less than 0.002%!
The super rugged output stage features 4 pairs of 150W discrete bipolar output transistors per channel, for 50A peak undistorted output current. Massive heat sinking assures a lifetime of trouble free operation.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Line Level Inputs (CD, Video, Tuner, Tape1, Tape2, Aux)
Input impedance (R and C) : 150k//500p
Input sensitivity ref. 0.5V: 446mV
Signal/Noise ratio, A weighted ref 0.5V: >110dB (AWTD)
Frequency response (-3dB 3Hz - 70kHz): <+/-0.3dB
Voltage gain (max volume): 29dB
Line Level Outputs
Tape: Source Z + 1k ohm
Controls (Volume Setting @ 12:00 position)
Treble: ±5dB
Bass: ±5dB
Power Amp
Continuous average power output into 8ohms: 2 x 180W (22.5dBW)
Rated distortion (THD 20Hz-20kHz) : 0.004%
Clipping power (max cont. power/channel) : 220W (23.4dbW)
IHF dynamic headroom at 8ohms: 4.2 dB
IHF dynamic power:
• 8 ohms 280W (24.5dBW)
• 4 ohms 480W (27.2dBW)
• 2 ohms 785W (28.4dBW)
Damping factor: >150
Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz: ±0.03dB
Input impedance R and C: 20k ohm/ 680pF
Input sensitivity (for rated output into 8 ohms) : 1.38V
Signal to noise ratio, A-weighted:
• ref. 1W >-107dB (AWTD)
• ref. rated power >-130dB
Physical Specification
Dimensions (W×H×D) : 435 x 135 x 386mm
Net Weight: 23.5 kg
Shipping Weight: 30.5kg
* NAD reserves the right to change specifications or design at any time without notice. All specifications are those in effect at time of printing.
NAD Masters SACD / CD player – M5
Feature
• Plays SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW
• AES/EBU balanced digital out for PCM sources
• Coax and TosLink PCM digital audio outputs
• Separate 2 channel and 5.1 channel analog outputs
• Balanced 600 Ohm Stereo Outputs
• HDCD, MP3, and WMA decoding
• Bass Management for SACD
• 24 bit 192kHz DACs with DSD mode
• NAD Pure Class A Discrete Gain Modules
• Separate power supplies; switch mode for digital circuits, linear for audio circuits.
• Composite Video Output (switchable On/Off)
• RS-232 port
• IR Input
• 12V Trigger Input
• Detachable AC cord
• M5 Remote Control
A Closer Look
SUPER AUDIO FOR ALL CD’s
The Super Audio Compact Disc offers a significant improvement in sonic performance when compared with a standard CD. SACD uses a fundamentally different approach to transferring the analog musical waveform into the digital domain for storage on the disc. This is called Direct Stream Digital, and is widely considered to be a fundamentally better approach to digital encoding. This requires very high speed processing that simply wasn’t available at the birth of the CD format. This high data rate process avoids the quantization errors inherent in the Pulse Code Modulation process used for the traditional CD and DVD. Extended high frequency response, enhanced detail and a more analog-like sound quality are often stated improvements of SACD over CD.
Many of us still have extensive CD collections, however, and luckily the M5 has sophisticated circuitry designed to also get the best possible sound quality from your existing CD recordings. In addition, the M5 includes an HDCD decoder which can increase the dynamic range of CD by 6dB with specially encoded and widely available CDs. CDR and CDRW recordable discs are fully supported, and even MP3 and WMA can be played on the M5 CD/SACD Player offering many hours of playback from a single disc.
But the SACD format also offers the possibility of 5.1 surround sound playback, and the M5 is equipped to take full advantage of these exciting new multi-channel recordings. We have even included comprehensive bass management (redirection) for the 5.1 output. Several popular speaker configurations can be easily accessed from the front panel controls and navigated via the VFD display. A higher level of fine tuning is available via the Composite Video output using the M5’s On Screen Display. This video output is also useful for managing MP3 playback. Since we expect most M5’s to be used in music only systems, the video circuit can be switched off to afford the cleanest possible audio performance.
LUXURIOUS DESIGN
The design brief reads: “The industrial design must create a physical presence that is powerful, dynamic, and solid, yet refined and elegant”. We wanted a design that will still look fresh and new a decade from now, a design with classic proportions and understated details.
Intelligent use of aluminum extrusions, zinc castings, and heavy gauge steel results in a chassis that is as rugged as it is handsome. Innovative use of specialized coatings and plating results in a product that will retain its good looks for many, many years to come.
Since the high-density data recorded on SACD must be read with absolute accuracy, vibrations from outside or from internal sources, such as the power supply, will adversely affect sound and picture quality. A variety of special measures have been incorporated in the NAD M5 to suppress these unwanted vibrations, from the carefully engineered heavy gauge steel chassis, to the vibration isolating silicon rubber foot design.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
Separately configured signal paths for the CD and SACD audio maintain the highest possible levels of CD and SACD sound quality. PCM Digital audio outputs are available in AES/EBU (balanced), coaxial, and optical (TosLink) SPDIF formats.
The NAD M5 uses professional grade D/A converters with 24-bit, 192-kHz resolution for PCM (CD) signals, and a special DSD mode for SACD. These premium devices are well protected from noise caused by even minute fluctuations in current from the power supply. Separate digital filters are employed for the SACD and CD signal paths to perfectly compliment these uniquely different signal formats. The level of quantization noise within the frequency range is uniform for all frequencies and very well suppressed. This D/A converter ensures that all the sound you hear is as clear and noise-free as possible, regardless of recorded format.
NAD’s specially designed discrete Class A gain modules keep all the detail in high resolution SACD perfectly intact, and offer very low output impedance across the frequency spectrum. These are the same high performance modules first seen in the M3 preamplifier stage, with distortion levels that are at the lower limits of measurement combined with ample undistorted output current to effortlessly drive even long cable runs. A set of balanced stereo analog outputs are included for very long runs and easy integration with professional studio equipment.
The audio stage of the M5 is fed from a separate linear power supply utilizing a specially designed C-core transformer for the lowest possible noise and best supply regulation. The mechanical and digital circuits have their own independent NAD designed switch mode supply.
Digital Bass Management is available for the SACD surround sound format. This prevents bass frequencies from overloading and distorting your speakers by ‘redirecting’ them to your subwoofer which is specially designed to handle the lowest octaves. When playing Super Audio CD sources, it is possible to preset 5.1 speaker configurations. The crossover point is selectable with 12 dB high and 24 dB low pass filter slopes.
VALUE
Musical performance at the highest levels of attainment; inspired industrial design; Build Artistry construction; the M5 CD/SACD Player is without peer for its unique blend of features and performance at an incredibly affordable price. The M5 has the power and performance to literally transform your current CD collection, opening new musical vistas in your favorite recordings. The M5 also fully exploits the latest recorded music formats. From High Definition SACD, to compressed MP3 and WMA, the emotive value of music is always clearly communicated. If music is important in your life, listen to the NAD Masters Series M5.
Physical Specification
Dimensions (W×H×D) : 436 x 100 x 300mm
Net Weight: 9.2kg
Shipping Weight: 14.3kg
* NAD reserves the right to change specifications or design at any time without notice. All specifications are those in effect at time of printing.
More images
Reviews - NAD Masters CD & Amplifier Audio Package - M3+M5
Write a new review now!
