PLEASE READ *before commenting*! 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio TH-cam community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video 2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/ 3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories, please)
Darko and Andrew continue doing "god's work" for audiophiles... The camera shots, lighting, room quality, and review content are just top notch between both of these channels!
I did a home trail of the Nad M10 V2 with the powernode driving the rear surrounds in a 4.1 set up. I can confirm Dirac will only calibrate the front speakers and the sub. You will have to manually measure the rear surrounds yourself using the bluesound app. I thought to mention this as I can see people are asking.
Hi John Thanks for including me in this video, it was great to work with you, hope this is ok to post. For anyone interested there is not a "Terry Ellis Target Curve" that I can give you that will work for you. There is a specific process I follow that I know works and its unlikely anyone else is doing. But for target curves this has to be specific for every system room and person and its the bit that takes the time and experience to get right but getting it right makes all the difference and the level of fine tune flexibility Dirac offers is what makes it stand out. Great video John, thanks again
Hi Terry, i‘m thinking of switching from my Naim Unity Atom to The NAD M10 for the Dirac Room correction. I got some big issues with the frequency response in my room (dips and peaks ).How can I contact You?
This is a GREAT review. Thank you for talking about the NAD in conjunction with a TV, etc. I spend most of my free time listening to music. But we just picked up an OLED (LG), and would adore watching concerts. You've given me a LOT to think about. Thanks!
We use our setup in much the way you describe - mostly for music, but also to watch a lot of concerts and livestreams. Hifi and TV and the internet together is a great combination these days.
I use the M10v2 in conjunction with a recently acquired philips TV via HDMI eArc integration. Mostly the auto-sensing works, nnit always.. but 9 out of 10. Recently discovered: There is aneat trick the M10v2 can do: Learn remotes..so when we switch on the TV now the M10v2 goes automatically into HDMI eArc mode.. works like a charm so far..
LMAO. I just ordered the NAD M10 V2 today. Going to connect it with a pair of KEF LS50 Metas AND a pair of JL Audio e100 subwoofers. I love the dual sub control on this NAD M10 V2. That is brilliant.
Love your reviews. So balanced, and you are an audiophile who doesn't buy into the audiophile BS. I had a NAD M33 and I recently downsized the M10 V2. Honestly it sounds as good, am totally blown away with the unit. So much power, flawless operation. I had a Naim Uniti Nova before and it was hopeless with HDMI and no room correction.
@@CedricRachmad if you don't need the connections or future upgradeability with MDC slots (which are now being replaced with MDC2 anyway) I think it is worth the consideration.
I love that with your videos I feel like I'm watching a series, not just reviews in isolation. Not only does every episode have a story, those stories are interconnected. Truly John is levels above any other audio youtuber.
I would love to see a review on the Arcam SA30. Class G amp with Dirac built in, HDMI eARC, small form factor, 120 watts into 8 ohms for around the same price as the NAD.
As always: a quality review! As an owner of a NAD M10 I really think about changing to the v2 because of the bluesound wireless rear option. And thank you so much for the bloopers ^_^ Frohe Ostern!
If you like the flexibility of the M10 but can't afford the price tag the Bluesound Powernode (HDMI version) can also do surround sound with the Bluesound Flex speakers or a second Powernode (any model) and passive speakers.
I agree with Bryan. Just to note there is no Dirac in the power node. Another option if starting from new, the Bluesound Soundbar+ which has ATMOS, HDMI eArc, bass management, and supports rear wireless speakers. I have this in my Bedroom, as well as 3 other NAD systems in my home, including a M28
Jon your videos are simply the best. Your articulation is so relatable, as is your approach to music, equipment, and that fine line between insanity and enjoyment most of us are walking. Thank you so much for this. I was a NAD user for the first 20 years of my “adult” audio journey and now use McIntosh equipment - however - I want to set my daughter up as she becomes independent and this seems like it could be a great fit. Something I don’t believe you covered in the vid but would be of interest in a future podcast or video is what speaker pairing you most enjoyed with the NAD. Thanks again - you are brilliant, and I love that you are working with Terry. He is amazing as well and basically convinced me to buy Bowers & Wilkins 802D4 speakers (almost) blind.
I'm a full-size component guy with a dedicated listening room. However, this M10 V2 would be a fabulous solution for our daughter's apartment. It seems to check all the boxes for a small footprint system. Thanks again.
I’d describe the M10 as clean and clear, but a slight bit lean sounding. By comparison the Naim is meaty but fuzzy. It has more weight but much less definition in the bass. I flip flopped between which I prefer and it really took living with each for an extended time to choose. I’m going to stick with the M10.
Bruh, you just killed the TH-cam video game again with this video. BRAVO!! NO CAP, as my young nephew would say, meaning honestly 🤣🤣🤣. In the years I've spent with your various outlets...I've seen a lot of people copy a lot of things techniques and innovations you and you team come up. From the way you do your video introductions(Jay), your b-roll footage, the music you select, the outtakes, even your ethical standards, all have seemingly made their way across TH-cam, making you a true "influencer" so to speak. However, the switch to Terry Ellis was just awesome and hilarious, and I cannot wait to see where this shows up next, although I have no doubt that it will..Soon. 🤣🤣🤣. Anyway, please keep up the great work. It's is definitely appreciated and helpful and downright entertaining.
I continue to believe you are the best of the best when it comes to reviewing a product. I always leave a review and have a lot to mull over and consider, even if I have no interest in ever owning said product. That is high praise. I’m relishing the comparison format and you seem to be as well. Win/win. I’m also so pleased about your openness and support for room correction in all its forms. My Buchardt A500 are vastly improved after correcting for my low-ceiling window-surrounded apartment. A lot to consider in this review. Very surprised to see a product that excites you more than the Naim. I suppose it was inevitable at some point.
Purchased the NAD M10 v2 a couple months ago after watching you, Ron at New Record Day reviews on the unit. Couldn't be happier with the M10. Have it running through and old Pioneer Spec 4 into the new Polk Audio R60 tower speakers. Fantastic sound. Thanks for all you do.
when I went to sound test the blue sound powernode last month, they had this set up too. I could not believe the difference. I did stay disciplined - I purchased the powernode. I hope to upgrade one day to this. The bass was SO accurate and full. Highs were crisp and clean. Loved it.
I'm actually upgrading to a NAD M10 V2 from a 7 months old Powernode, without listening to the NAD! Your comment is reassuring. The €3K were hard to swallow with a blind decision. I am receiving it next week.
@@stevesentanoe6730 I have uploaded many sound demos on my profile , check them out! In short, the NAD M10 v2 is an upgrade from the Bluesound and aesthetically is much more appealing than the Powernode. Lots of power and the biggest advantage is the room correction software (Dirac Live).
Future if indeed. I had no idea Blue os app was available on Apple Watch until I watched this. Looked at my apps on the watch and it’s already there and working perfectly. Amazing!!!👍🏻
I agree with what you say, had the M10 at home driving my Magnepan 1.6 and was pleased with the result when applaying DIRAC. It also handles my TV, and listening radio with the M10 is fun, because with the BluOS-App you can manage to have the same level of volume when switching between TV, radio or streaming. Roon works out of the box. All in all a good WAF ! My old T&A E-MusicReceiver comes not even close to this. The bigest deficiency however is ... you can't connect a headphone via cable like my Beyer T70 and I refuse to use bluetooth headpohne at home ! Thats why it went back. I realy hope the NAD will come up with a solution for the M10 ! Maybe a V3 ?
A great video and good to see spatial/surround audio being discussed. I don’t have the luxury of running separate stereo/AV systems, so it would be good to see the channel addressing AV amps/receivers in a dual setup and also a full review of spatial audio (Tidal, Apple etc) through this approach. In my case I’m running an Arcam AVR 30 for AV, streaming and stereo vinyl playback with DIRAC, Tidal and ROON. Tidal ATMOS is streamed from an LG C1 via eARC.
Great review as always! I heard the original version of the M10 when it first came out, and was very impressed, nice to see they have continued expand its capabilities.
Watched this review last week and bought the M10 V2 to replace my Cambridge Audio Cx81 & CXN Streamer. Now I’m no audio snob, can’t hear a difference in cables etc but as soon as I turned this thing on I could hear a clear difference. Sounded like shhhit! Thin and weak treble with no bass coming from my SVS 3000. I immediately ran the room correction thinking that might help but it only made things worse. It was a bit shocking really. Anyway, Crutchfield was super cool and it only cost me $12 shipping to return it. Lesson learned and no mo fomo. Gave me a real appreciation for my old gear so it was a good experience overall.
Splendid, nice to hear someone who appreciates the analog organic appeal of vinyl but embraces the possibilities of enhancing the experience with Dirac/Room Perfect. But my OCD got me. Room Correction or Room Compensation. I can live with both. But John - pick one and stick with it. 😜😂
Hey John. Rumors has it that the 3rd gen is coming this year. Denmarks Hifi Club, who sells the NAD master series in Denmark, has removed all their v2 version from their stores. I´ve also heard that the 3rd gen will retail at a lower price point compared to the current version.
Honestly in this realm of "future-fi" software and features are really becoming more and more the determining factor. Any room correction is already running DSP on the output, which will likely have more impact on the sound than the actual amp/DAC in the unit beyond a certain point. I'm glad we're getting more forward looking devices aimed at audiophiles, as the convenience of roon, streaming, e-arc, etc... just lets you get into the music faster, and I think it's good we've seen that shift from just the consumer realm.
Agreed. However were NAD could have really hit a home run is if they updated the v1 with this new algorithm. It seems highly likely the v1 hardware could support it.
It is possible to program the remote control to do more than just the functions you mention. The numbered buttons can be assigned to different inputs via the BluOS app making it much more versatile. I own the M10 (V1) and I think its biggest downside is its ability to drive low sensitivity speakers. I would love to see how it handles some ZU Audio speakers in the future.
As a Naim Atom Unity Owner I am always thinking how nice it would be to have all these electronic add-ons: BlueOS and especially room correction Dirac built-in. However, fact is, I am so happy about the sound of the Naim it could not justify to change now and small devices (eg miniDSP line) can add room correction if wished so. Naim is all about simplicity and a perfect sound what I appreciate a lot. I fear also that each new iteration of the M10 will decrease the resale price of the present M10 generation you own. So all in all even if I would be in the market to buy a new streamer I would still go for Naim which corresponds more to my needs. But it’s nice to see the competition so active in this market it gives more choice for everyone. We are lucky guys to have so much choice.
Loving thr Eurythmics tribute room treatment (see Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) ,,,,,,all joking aside, nice video, big Bluesound fan in Canada only wish they built the products here too. Keep up the entertaining videos, thanks Ken
Thank you John, I think I have finally found the box that I need and want. The eARC input is the clincher, along with all the other features. I just need to find and get the best book shelf speakers to go along with this unit.
Fantastic! Thank you John. This subject has been a struggle for me. I will normally prefer my 2-channel system for music and I rarely watch movies and don’t watch television- BUT - I am open to finding products to help bridge that gap, and simplicity would have to be key. This sounds like an interesting place to start.
Terrific video John. I'm a BluOS fan. I have two Nodes. I'm considering replacing my vintage Yamaha CA 2010 (circa 1975 ish) with the NAD. Your thoughts on the quality of the internal DAC on the NAD vs the Node (3rd gen)? Cheers, JM
Not really into the virtual surround sound. But, multi channel SACD music surprised me recently. There are a few recordings, like Headhunters by Herbie Hancock that were recorded and mixed quadrophonically that you now get to experience. Changes ones definition of soundstage!
Now, it truly is everything. The M10 (both versions) finally got a balance [trim] control in the latest firmware update. I’d like to see a source trim next, but this is enough for now.
It seems NAD better put a Dirac tutorial video online if they want to push this product. If John needs help, I will never have faith in myself having the optimum setup.
We need Terry Ellish's clones for each country to properly calibrate dirac! 😁 Then it is everything we need, and and our favorite speakers off course..
🤗 GREAT TO SEE YOU AND TERRY COOPERATING TOGETHER WITH DIRAC AND PROVING WHAT I JUST SAID ON TERRY’s VIDEO…IMHHO …it’s the best time to be an audiophile 😁🤗😍😍😍
I have the original M10 paired with Totem Tribe Towers in my bedroom. Makes watching movies more enjoyable as well as discovering new music through BluOs. Keep up the bloopers!
I have Totem Tribe III on walls as my L,C,R in my Living room. Continually impressed by their performance for size for TV, Movies and Music. The Tribe Towers in a bedroom sounds like a killer setup!!
@@joshmcgowan4 Indeed they are. They can be placed near a rear wall and provide a surprising bass for its size. On a side note, today I received a pair of Lumina 2 and they sound fantastic! I don't want to plug the Totems again hahaha. Oh, this hobby...
Excellent Review, I LOVE your delivery and the astute analysis of whatever subject your critiquing. I like your imparting a warm, personal perspective on the use of the equipment in a real environment & the interactions with the various parts of a Hi-Fi System. While I cling to my favorite Hi-Fi pieces which I've curated over the decades; I still use my 1985 NAD 7140 40W Receiver with my Linn KAN Mk.1 Stand Monitors. My multi-channel systems are KEF Q & JBL Studio II dating to the early '00s, so I appreciate your take on the Here & Now, especially for smaller spaces, and incorporating newer/older components together. This NAD really fires my imagination for a minimalist HT Audiophile System that will finally be approved by my Better Half. Those GoldenEar BRX Monitors are perfect for my tastes (Everything except HipHop & Punk), (Where did you get those Stands?) though I'm partial to SVS Subwoofers (Sealed) and my future living space will be a 115 year old bungalow which I'm renovating this year. Perhaps this will allow me to part with my vast collection of vintage HiFi Gear. Mahalo for another great review, faux pas included.👍
Thank you for this very comprehensive review. I‘ve been using the M10 V2 for half a year now with my KEFs (Meta+Sub). Especially with Dirac enabled the sound it delivers is just amazing, very clear highs, a punchy bass and a wide sound stage. I also like the small form factor and the simple design. It‘s a wonderful package for music AND movies. I haven‘t had the chance to try the 4.0 mode with wireless speakers, yet.
Long life to the 1120!, I've owned one before getting the M10 V2 and I was so in love with the whole custom configurations you can do but there's so many other things that the M10 is better than the Lyngdorf.. such a pity.. but to achieve that they have the TDAI 3400 but it's much more expensive than the M10 V2
Bruno. I want to get either the Lyngdorf or the NAD. The deciding factor for me is the ease of use for both TV watching with the HDMI eARC and music listening to Tidal, maybe Roon. As I want my wife to be able to enjoy the system too, I need to get the one that is simpler to use. Suggestions?
Great review and the bloopers at the end were a great finish! I do have to ask though why prices are given in USD and not including any other currencies?
I wonder, John, if the presence of the TV will pull you towards exploring a center channel or if that kind of gear (multi-channel and lots of digital) is a bridge too far. Perhaps you’ll have dual systems or compromise and get a soundbar. Hopefully you’ll adress this apparent horns of a dilemma, because it’s a real challenge for 2.x listeners and TV watchers, like myself.
Would like to see more in depth comparisons in this super relevant/competitive segment (atom/m10/tdai1120) with some more detailed conclusions and preferences. Like… which would you buy?
John...the Naim Uniti Atom (speaker and headphone versions) is now $3,799 in the US. Inflation is getting real crazy. Hence, it does not sounds like the Naim is worth an extra $1,000 over the new NAD. Sounds like a winner and I am a Naim fan in general.
Great vid as always! Yes I’d like to see John review the Arcam sa30 to see his take on the musicality of that feature-ful integrated amp including Dirac live
Really good review this one.. It seems like NAD have 'thrown the kitchen sink' at this unit. Amongst many things, DIRAC and rear surround feature is a real added bonus. I need a demo on this fantastic piece of kit.
Great review, but having both the NAD C658 streaming to our (vintage) stereo downstairs and the NAD T758 v3 for the TV room upstairs, I still have to scratch my head and wonder why the M10 has no analog bypass while the C & T do. Without using Dirac (waiting to get rear speakers wired) vinyl sounds fuller on both of my....uh....NADs than digitized (which also sounds really good). Just seems like something the M series would offer.
I’m one of those guys that keeps a piece of gear until it dies (My NAD C740 is 20 years old and running strong) so I can’t help but wonder what the lifespan of this might be.
I guess old electronic was made less eco and live longer. It's a reason why I'm not thinking about all-in-one devices. Especially speakers with streaming. Ordinary speakers can work i guess for long years. But electronic part... I guess 2y is enough this times. Or 5y - it depends on guarantee :) Of course there is also a chance to find a service and repair it but such electronic is very complex and I'm not sure if it's possible :(
Same here - I have an NAD 7100 receiver from the late1980s - still drives my old AR9s out in the studio. In my main room I run the NAD M33 to GoldenEar Triton Ones - magic. While I haven't mastered Dirac yet it's still fabulous.
One I thing that stumps me about Dirac on the M10 v2 (I own one) is the way the basic version affects the midrange. I was under the impression that it only changes the lower frequencies. I get the same “pullback” in the mids as you describe, John. I was out off by it at first, but I have come to value it as an alternative.
Most of what the room effects is lower frequencies. And the free version corrects up to 500Hz which is enough for most people to create the effect you are talking about. I had the full version of Dirac and after playing with it for weeks, I settled on correcting only up to 1kHz. To me corrections over 1.5-2K started sounding a bit unnatural even though it was still tightening the bass.
I owned one and after running Dirac the sound was great. The app was great. I ended up returning because it kept making LOUD pops, the maximum volume is really quite low, and it seemed to do a poor job of driving my sub. The bass was there, but the impact and drive was gone. I actually may have kept it if it had 1 more HDMI input.
Hey, wonderful as always :) I just thought I'd say that I would love to hear you review new music, outside of gear. I like your taste, and would love to hear you talk about it more in depth. Thanks!
I have the original M10, a T778, and the M33 and I never use the touch screen. The BluOS app is all I use. It also works on the Powernode for the pool and the Node in the kitchen.
Great review John. I own the M10v2 and purchased the two flex's (w. Battery packs also for versatility) - albeit they are still on backorder... Terrific unit - my only frustrations are No source selection on the remote The unit won't flick back to BluOS source when jumping into Tidal connect whilst HDMI earc is engaged (you have to use touchscreen) The TV will always boot up assuming the audio system is in use. Using the tv remote you always have to change back to TV speakers (HDMI glitch it seems)
Any device you have to place on a shelf or bend down to look at will always benefit more from buttons that provide feedback to user, touch screens just are too awkward in that scenario as you often use these things without directly looking at it, so you rely on the touch feedback from a physical button
I’ve watched this video about 20 times now. One of my favourites. I’ve gone and replaced my Naim Nova and have gone for the M10 v2 and pulse flex. Let’s see how we go ! ……..
It seems they fixed a few things that they hand on heart denied were issues with the original and just kept going. Good review, thanks for your insights as always.
Nad looks great and has many useful features. Have you tried hard to drive speakers? Because 100 watt at 4 ohm and no specification for 2 ohm, on the paper it doesn’t seem to have a great driving potential.
I loved the sound, but I found it was unstable. It kept hanging up and I had to re-set it. I ended up returning it. You probably don't run these things long enough to experience the problem. It worked fine for a week, but after that it kept locking up and eventually I stopped using it and returned it.
Can we expect a „younger and cheaper brother” of Nad M10- Nad C700? I bought one and I think is great but I’d like to hear something about it from professional perspective.
@@joshmcgowan4 I watched this Video many times before I bought my own, but I still prefer Darko Audio content and I’d love to hear John’s opinion about C700.
That midrange spread-back with Dirac I imagine is because the processing has fixed a bunch of phase and timing issues between the drivers as they hit the listening posiition. Dirac does some voodoo beyond just timing and EQ. When left = right in timing, response, phase, throughout the bandwidth, that's when imaging and staging happens. I'll bet separation in the stage improved as well after a good Dirac tune.. By that I mean the air between the instruments. Space between.. And more pinpoint imaging and depth. I'll bet also a sweep in room eq wizard of left then right speakers before and after dirac would show some telling information in how they come together better after Dirac was implemented.
Seriously considering one of these, I’ve had enough of Naim. I had (still have) a UnitiLite which I bought for streaming/NAS use etc. but it’d overhead and lose connection continuously rendering it an ornament and just became a massive pain in the ar*s. I bought a Node 2i on a whim as it was cheap and then my old faithful A400 gave up the ghost. Then I went back and bought a Naim Nova as I do prefer the look/feel of the app better than the Bluesound. 1 year later I have issues with the Naim. Have to reinstate the WiFi handshake (mildly irritating) every now and again but now I’m having to factory reset (really irritating) as the POS freezes. This time it won’t reset so I have a 4K brick. Grrrrrrrrrr. A400 now fixed and the Node 2i never fails. Learn this expensive lesson from me and avoid Naim. They will tell you it’s unusual but the forums are full of these issues, then they’ll tell you to check your have you check your router etc.etc.
One of the reasons why i sold my lovely accuphase preamp was dirac from the nad c658. Like with dirac ON, my loudspeakers are playin like on steroids! Like 30% better sound in comparison. Now i am steering at a piece of plastic instead of nice materials ! But dont care !
PLEASE READ *before commenting*!
1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio TH-cam community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video
2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/
3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories, please)
Darko and Andrew continue doing "god's work" for audiophiles... The camera shots, lighting, room quality, and review content are just top notch between both of these channels!
I did a home trail of the Nad M10 V2 with the powernode driving the rear surrounds in a 4.1 set up. I can confirm Dirac will only calibrate the front speakers and the sub. You will have to manually measure the rear surrounds yourself using the bluesound app. I thought to mention this as I can see people are asking.
Hi John
Thanks for including me in this video, it was great to work with you, hope this is ok to post.
For anyone interested there is not a "Terry Ellis Target Curve" that I can give you that will work for you. There is a specific process I follow that I know works and its unlikely anyone else is doing. But for target curves this has to be specific for every system room and person and its the bit that takes the time and experience to get right but getting it right makes all the difference and the level of fine tune flexibility Dirac offers is what makes it stand out.
Great video John, thanks again
PPS you Rock! 👍🏻🇮🇹
Hi Terry, i‘m thinking of switching from my Naim Unity Atom to The NAD M10 for the Dirac Room correction. I got some big issues with the frequency response in my room (dips and peaks ).How can I contact You?
This is a GREAT review. Thank you for talking about the NAD in conjunction with a TV, etc. I spend most of my free time listening to music. But we just picked up an OLED (LG), and would adore watching concerts. You've given me a LOT to think about. Thanks!
We use our setup in much the way you describe - mostly for music, but also to watch a lot of concerts and livestreams. Hifi and TV and the internet together is a great combination these days.
I use the M10v2 in conjunction with a recently acquired philips TV via HDMI eArc integration. Mostly the auto-sensing works, nnit always.. but 9 out of 10. Recently discovered: There is aneat trick the M10v2 can do: Learn remotes..so when we switch on the TV now the M10v2 goes automatically into HDMI eArc mode.. works like a charm so far..
Thank you for great review! Glad to see Terry! Would be nice to see more of these collaborations with others TH-camrs :)
LMAO. I just ordered the NAD M10 V2 today. Going to connect it with a pair of KEF LS50 Metas AND a pair of JL Audio e100 subwoofers. I love the dual sub control on this NAD M10 V2. That is brilliant.
Love your reviews. So balanced, and you are an audiophile who doesn't buy into the audiophile BS. I had a NAD M33 and I recently downsized the M10 V2. Honestly it sounds as good, am totally blown away with the unit. So much power, flawless operation. I had a Naim Uniti Nova before and it was hopeless with HDMI and no room correction.
What can you say how Good is m10v2 to m33? I have too m33
I can get a great deal on a M12. You think the M10 will be as good?
@@CedricRachmad if you don't need the connections or future upgradeability with MDC slots (which are now being replaced with MDC2 anyway) I think it is worth the consideration.
Im looking at NAIM star vx NAD M10 any thoughts?
I love that with your videos I feel like I'm watching a series, not just reviews in isolation. Not only does every episode have a story, those stories are interconnected.
Truly John is levels above any other audio youtuber.
I would love to see a review on the Arcam SA30. Class G amp with Dirac built in, HDMI eARC, small form factor, 120 watts into 8 ohms for around the same price as the NAD.
There was a review on that .I’m just trying to remember who did that but it was done just recently.
As always: a quality review! As an owner of a NAD M10 I really think about changing to the v2 because of the bluesound wireless rear option. And thank you so much for the bloopers ^_^ Frohe Ostern!
Which speakers are you running the NAD on? And have you heard any benefits of using Dirac?
If you like the flexibility of the M10 but can't afford the price tag the Bluesound Powernode (HDMI version) can also do surround sound with the Bluesound Flex speakers or a second Powernode (any model) and passive speakers.
I agree with Bryan. Just to note there is no Dirac in the power node.
Another option if starting from new, the Bluesound Soundbar+ which has ATMOS, HDMI eArc, bass management, and supports rear wireless speakers. I have this in my Bedroom, as well as 3 other NAD systems in my home, including a M28
@@Wozzaatwozza good point about no Dirac in the Powernode
Thank you, noted!
What's the NAD V2 vs Powernode verdic with respect to sound ?
what about the NAD C700?
Jon your videos are simply the best. Your articulation is so relatable, as is your approach to music, equipment, and that fine line between insanity and enjoyment most of us are walking. Thank you so much for this. I was a NAD user for the first 20 years of my “adult” audio journey and now use McIntosh equipment - however - I want to set my daughter up as she becomes independent and this seems like it could be a great fit. Something I don’t believe you covered in the vid but would be of interest in a future podcast or video is what speaker pairing you most enjoyed with the NAD. Thanks again - you are brilliant, and I love that you are working with Terry. He is amazing as well and basically convinced me to buy Bowers & Wilkins 802D4 speakers (almost) blind.
I'm a full-size component guy with a dedicated listening room. However, this M10 V2 would be a fabulous solution for our daughter's apartment. It seems to check all the boxes for a small footprint system. Thanks again.
You can add a blusound wireless amp as well as wireless rear speakers
I find it rather expensive for a "daughters appartment" solution. I like the looks of it though. You basically pay for the looks of it...
@@obiwan007 if price is a concern there is the NAD C700 or the Powernode, almost all the same capabilities minus room correction.
I can be ur new son, and my apartment needs some new audio gear too, dad. Cmon now.
@@kas4751 That made me chuckle.
As an owner of an Atom and original M10, I echo all of John’s comments!
I’d describe the M10 as clean and clear, but a slight bit lean sounding. By comparison the Naim is meaty but fuzzy. It has more weight but much less definition in the bass.
I flip flopped between which I prefer and it really took living with each for an extended time to choose.
I’m going to stick with the M10.
Bruh, you just killed the TH-cam video game again with this video. BRAVO!! NO CAP, as my young nephew would say, meaning honestly 🤣🤣🤣. In the years I've spent with your various outlets...I've seen a lot of people copy a lot of things techniques and innovations you and you team come up. From the way you do your video introductions(Jay), your b-roll footage, the music you select, the outtakes, even your ethical standards, all have seemingly made their way across TH-cam, making you a true "influencer" so to speak. However, the switch to Terry Ellis was just awesome and hilarious, and I cannot wait to see where this shows up next, although I have no doubt that it will..Soon. 🤣🤣🤣. Anyway, please keep up the great work. It's is definitely appreciated and helpful and downright entertaining.
I continue to believe you are the best of the best when it comes to reviewing a product. I always leave a review and have a lot to mull over and consider, even if I have no interest in ever owning said product. That is high praise. I’m relishing the comparison format and you seem to be as well. Win/win. I’m also so pleased about your openness and support for room correction in all its forms. My Buchardt A500 are vastly improved after correcting for my low-ceiling window-surrounded apartment. A lot to consider in this review. Very surprised to see a product that excites you more than the Naim. I suppose it was inevitable at some point.
Purchased the NAD M10 v2 a couple months ago after watching you, Ron at New Record Day reviews on the unit. Couldn't be happier with the M10. Have it running through and old Pioneer Spec 4 into the new Polk Audio R60 tower speakers. Fantastic sound. Thanks for all you do.
Have you heard any benefits of using Dirac?
when I went to sound test the blue sound powernode last month, they had this set up too. I could not believe the difference. I did stay disciplined - I purchased the powernode. I hope to upgrade one day to this. The bass was SO accurate and full. Highs were crisp and clean. Loved it.
I'm actually upgrading to a NAD M10 V2 from a 7 months old Powernode, without listening to the NAD! Your comment is reassuring. The €3K were hard to swallow with a blind decision. I am receiving it next week.
@@chrisp.916 how is it? A lot better than powernode, is it worth to upgrade from powernode?
@@stevesentanoe6730 I have uploaded many sound demos on my profile , check them out! In short, the NAD M10 v2 is an upgrade from the Bluesound and aesthetically is much more appealing than the Powernode. Lots of power and the biggest advantage is the room correction software (Dirac Live).
Nice to see Terry Ellis here! Love his channel too! 👍🏼
Wow! A “10” in Darko “enthusiasm” for sure! Love how you compared to two top integrated amps! 💪🏽🔥❤️
Thank you for this excellent review. Based on your comments I bought the M10v2, and I do not regret it a single instance
with which speakers?
I’m not an audiophile but I really enjoy John’s channel. This was hugely entertaining. I bout my first NAD kit 40 years ago. They’ve come in somewhat!
Future if indeed. I had no idea Blue os app was available on Apple Watch until I watched this. Looked at my apps on the watch and it’s already there and working perfectly. Amazing!!!👍🏻
BETTER?!
Perfect for most people's needs. Awesome review!
Have it. Love it. Thanks man. Accurate review.
I agree with what you say, had the M10 at home driving my Magnepan 1.6 and was pleased with the
result when applaying DIRAC. It also handles my TV, and listening radio with the M10 is fun, because
with the BluOS-App you can manage to have the same level of volume when switching between TV, radio or
streaming. Roon works out of the box. All in all a good WAF !
My old T&A E-MusicReceiver comes not even close to this.
The bigest deficiency however is ... you can't connect a headphone via cable like my Beyer T70 and I refuse to
use bluetooth headpohne at home !
Thats why it went back. I realy hope the NAD will come up with a solution for the M10 ! Maybe a V3 ?
A great video and good to see spatial/surround audio being discussed. I don’t have the luxury of running separate stereo/AV systems, so it would be good to see the channel addressing AV amps/receivers in a dual setup and also a full review of spatial audio (Tidal, Apple etc) through this approach. In my case I’m running an Arcam AVR 30 for AV, streaming and stereo vinyl playback with DIRAC, Tidal and ROON. Tidal ATMOS is streamed from an LG C1 via eARC.
those VU meters are so chaotic and juddery
They don't even bounce to the correct beat
The big question is NAD M10 V2 or Marantz 40n?
Great review! I allso have the M10v2, and using a powernode to feed the rears. This just is the best all-in-one solution there is ATM.
NICE! I like this option/idea!
Great review as always! I heard the original version of the M10 when it first came out, and was very impressed, nice to see they have continued expand its capabilities.
Watched this review last week and bought the M10 V2 to replace my Cambridge Audio Cx81 & CXN Streamer. Now I’m no audio snob, can’t hear a difference in cables etc but as soon as I turned this thing on I could hear a clear difference. Sounded like shhhit! Thin and weak treble with no bass coming from my SVS 3000. I immediately ran the room correction thinking that might help but it only made things worse. It was a bit shocking really. Anyway, Crutchfield was super cool and it only cost me $12 shipping to return it. Lesson learned and no mo fomo. Gave me a real appreciation for my old gear so it was a good experience overall.
Splendid, nice to hear someone who appreciates the analog organic appeal of vinyl but embraces the possibilities of enhancing the experience with Dirac/Room Perfect.
But my OCD got me. Room Correction or Room Compensation. I can live with both. But John - pick one and stick with it. 😜😂
Always love it when Terry gives you a tickle in the top end.
Hey John. Rumors has it that the 3rd gen is coming this year. Denmarks Hifi Club, who sells the NAD master series in Denmark, has removed all their v2 version from their stores. I´ve also heard that the 3rd gen will retail at a lower price point compared to the current version.
I'm watching this with my nad m10 v2.
💯⚡
Honestly in this realm of "future-fi" software and features are really becoming more and more the determining factor.
Any room correction is already running DSP on the output, which will likely have more impact on the sound than the actual amp/DAC in the unit beyond a certain point.
I'm glad we're getting more forward looking devices aimed at audiophiles, as the convenience of roon, streaming, e-arc, etc... just lets you get into the music faster, and I think it's good we've seen that shift from just the consumer realm.
Agreed. However were NAD could have really hit a home run is if they updated the v1 with this new algorithm. It seems highly likely the v1 hardware could support it.
@@majorae1085 What do you mean by new algorithm?
It is possible to program the remote control to do more than just the functions you mention. The numbered buttons can be assigned to different inputs via the BluOS app making it much more versatile. I own the M10 (V1) and I think its biggest downside is its ability to drive low sensitivity speakers. I would love to see how it handles some ZU Audio speakers in the future.
As a Naim Atom Unity Owner I am always thinking how nice it would be to have all these electronic add-ons: BlueOS and especially room correction Dirac built-in. However, fact is, I am so happy about the sound of the Naim it could not justify to change now and small devices (eg miniDSP line) can add room correction if wished so.
Naim is all about simplicity and a perfect sound what I appreciate a lot. I fear also that each new iteration of the M10 will decrease the resale price of the present M10 generation you own. So all in all even if I would be in the market to buy a new streamer I would still go for Naim which corresponds more to my needs. But it’s nice to see the competition so active in this market it gives more choice for everyone. We are lucky guys to have so much choice.
Loving thr Eurythmics tribute room treatment (see Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) ,,,,,,all joking aside, nice video, big Bluesound fan in Canada only wish they built the products here too. Keep up the entertaining videos, thanks Ken
"We don't all listen for the same things." Bang on.
nice collab with people's favorite hifi geek !
Thank you John, I think I have finally found the box that I need and want. The eARC input is the clincher, along with all the other features. I just need to find and get the best book shelf speakers to go along with this unit.
Fantastic. Super helpful and entertaining. NAD M10v2 a real contender. One follow up - what did you do with your headphones when using the M10v2?
Bluetooth: Apple AirPods Max 👍🏻
Great collab. Big fan of both channels.
Fantastic! Thank you John. This subject has been a struggle for me. I will normally prefer my 2-channel system for music and I rarely watch movies and don’t watch television- BUT - I am open to finding products to help bridge that gap, and simplicity would have to be key. This sounds like an interesting place to start.
Excellent video John. Great point about digitising an analogue turntable signal too.
Terrific video John. I'm a BluOS fan. I have two Nodes. I'm considering replacing my vintage Yamaha CA 2010 (circa 1975 ish) with the NAD. Your thoughts on the quality of the internal DAC on the NAD vs the Node (3rd gen)? Cheers, JM
Not really into the virtual surround sound. But, multi channel SACD music surprised me recently. There are a few recordings, like Headhunters by Herbie Hancock that were recorded and mixed quadrophonically that you now get to experience. Changes ones definition of soundstage!
I just love this channel.
Glad I found your channel. Very entertaining.
Now, it truly is everything. The M10 (both versions) finally got a balance [trim] control in the latest firmware update. I’d like to see a source trim next, but this is enough for now.
I have a T778. Love it. I auditioned a M10V2. Returned it due to its weak 🪶& hot 🥵 amplifier section. Otherwise, brilliant & gorgeous unit.
It seems NAD better put a Dirac tutorial video online if they want to push this product. If John needs help, I will never have faith in myself having the optimum setup.
We need Terry Ellish's clones for each country to properly calibrate dirac! 😁 Then it is everything we need, and and our favorite speakers off course..
🤗 GREAT TO SEE YOU AND TERRY COOPERATING TOGETHER WITH DIRAC AND PROVING WHAT I JUST SAID ON TERRY’s VIDEO…IMHHO …it’s the best time to be an audiophile 😁🤗😍😍😍
I have the original M10 paired with Totem Tribe Towers in my bedroom. Makes watching movies more enjoyable as well as discovering new music through BluOs. Keep up the bloopers!
I have Totem Tribe III on walls as my L,C,R in my Living room. Continually impressed by their performance for size for TV, Movies and Music. The Tribe Towers in a bedroom sounds like a killer setup!!
@@joshmcgowan4 Indeed they are. They can be placed near a rear wall and provide a surprising bass for its size. On a side note, today I received a pair of Lumina 2 and they sound fantastic! I don't want to plug the Totems again hahaha. Oh, this hobby...
Another great video!. thanks John. I am seeing a slight difference in the video.. Has Olaf switched to a BlackMagic Pocket 6K camera for this? 😁
Excellent Review, I LOVE your delivery and the astute analysis of whatever subject your critiquing. I like your imparting a warm, personal perspective on the use of the equipment in a real environment & the interactions with the various parts of a Hi-Fi System. While I cling to my favorite Hi-Fi pieces which I've curated over the decades; I still use my 1985 NAD 7140 40W Receiver with my Linn KAN Mk.1 Stand Monitors. My multi-channel systems are KEF Q & JBL Studio II dating to the early '00s, so I appreciate your take on the Here & Now, especially for smaller spaces, and incorporating newer/older components together. This NAD really fires my imagination for a minimalist HT Audiophile System that will finally be approved by my Better Half. Those GoldenEar BRX Monitors are perfect for my tastes (Everything except HipHop & Punk), (Where did you get those Stands?) though I'm partial to SVS Subwoofers (Sealed) and my future living space will be a 115 year old bungalow which I'm renovating this year. Perhaps this will allow me to part with my vast collection of vintage HiFi Gear. Mahalo for another great review, faux pas included.👍
Thank you for this very comprehensive review. I‘ve been using the M10 V2 for half a year now with my KEFs (Meta+Sub). Especially with Dirac enabled the sound it delivers is just amazing, very clear highs, a punchy bass and a wide sound stage. I also like the small form factor and the simple design. It‘s a wonderful package for music AND movies. I haven‘t had the chance to try the 4.0 mode with wireless speakers, yet.
What would you rate the sound before and after Dirac out of 10?
Merry Crispness John.
Thanks for your genuinely great review of the M10 V2. I loved the „appearances“ of the Naim Uniti Atom and especially the Lyngdorf TDAI 1120!
Long life to the 1120!, I've owned one before getting the M10 V2 and I was so in love with the whole custom configurations you can do but there's so many other things that the M10 is better than the Lyngdorf.. such a pity.. but to achieve that they have the TDAI 3400 but it's much more expensive than the M10 V2
Bruno. I want to get either the Lyngdorf or the NAD. The deciding factor for me is the ease of use for both TV watching with the HDMI eARC and music listening to Tidal, maybe Roon. As I want my wife to be able to enjoy the system too, I need to get the one that is simpler to use. Suggestions?
excellent again, thanks Mate!!
Great review .... Loved the link up with Terry Ellis 🙂
Great review and the bloopers at the end were a great finish! I do have to ask though why prices are given in USD and not including any other currencies?
Another great episode!
I wonder, John, if the presence of the TV will pull you towards exploring a center channel or if that kind of gear (multi-channel and lots of digital) is a bridge too far. Perhaps you’ll have dual systems or compromise and get a soundbar. Hopefully you’ll adress this apparent horns of a dilemma, because it’s a real challenge for 2.x listeners and TV watchers, like myself.
Would like to see more in depth comparisons in this super relevant/competitive segment (atom/m10/tdai1120) with some more detailed conclusions and preferences. Like… which would you buy?
The display is user configurable as you like for EACH input. The video seems to imply that the display was fixed differently per each input.
John...the Naim Uniti Atom (speaker and headphone versions) is now $3,799 in the US. Inflation is getting real crazy. Hence, it does not sounds like the Naim is worth an extra $1,000 over the new NAD. Sounds like a winner and I am a Naim fan in general.
Nice review as always. Thx...Any plans to review NAD T778 ?
You have some sick sounding track at the start❤
Great vid as always! Yes I’d like to see John review the Arcam sa30 to see his take on the musicality of that feature-ful integrated amp including Dirac live
Really good review this one.. It seems like NAD have 'thrown the kitchen sink' at this unit. Amongst many things, DIRAC and rear surround feature is a real added bonus. I need a demo on this fantastic piece of kit.
Great review, but having both the NAD C658 streaming to our (vintage) stereo downstairs and the NAD T758 v3 for the TV room upstairs, I still have to scratch my head and wonder why the M10 has no analog bypass while the C & T do.
Without using Dirac (waiting to get rear speakers wired) vinyl sounds fuller on both of my....uh....NADs than digitized (which also sounds really good).
Just seems like something the M series would offer.
I’m one of those guys that keeps a piece of gear until it dies (My NAD C740 is 20 years old and running strong) so I can’t help but wonder what the lifespan of this might be.
I guess old electronic was made less eco and live longer. It's a reason why I'm not thinking about all-in-one devices. Especially speakers with streaming. Ordinary speakers can work i guess for long years. But electronic part... I guess 2y is enough this times. Or 5y - it depends on guarantee :)
Of course there is also a chance to find a service and repair it but such electronic is very complex and I'm not sure if it's possible :(
Same here - I have an NAD 7100 receiver from the late1980s - still drives my old AR9s out in the studio. In my main room I run the NAD M33 to GoldenEar Triton Ones - magic. While I haven't mastered Dirac yet it's still fabulous.
One I thing that stumps me about Dirac on the M10 v2 (I own one) is the way the basic version affects the midrange. I was under the impression that it only changes the lower frequencies. I get the same “pullback” in the mids as you describe, John. I was out off by it at first, but I have come to value it as an alternative.
Most of what the room effects is lower frequencies. And the free version corrects up to 500Hz which is enough for most people to create the effect you are talking about. I had the full version of Dirac and after playing with it for weeks, I settled on correcting only up to 1kHz. To me corrections over 1.5-2K started sounding a bit unnatural even though it was still tightening the bass.
Very nice review.. Best yet!
I owned one and after running Dirac the sound was great. The app was great. I ended up returning because it kept making LOUD pops, the maximum volume is really quite low, and it seemed to do a poor job of driving my sub. The bass was there, but the impact and drive was gone. I actually may have kept it if it had 1 more HDMI input.
Hey, wonderful as always :) I just thought I'd say that I would love to hear you review new music, outside of gear. I like your taste, and would love to hear you talk about it more in depth. Thanks!
I have the original M10, a T778, and the M33 and I never use the touch screen. The BluOS app is all I use. It also works on the Powernode for the pool and the Node in the kitchen.
I might have missed you say it, but does the DIRAC incorporate the wireless satellite speakers in the 4.1 setup?
Terry 🥳🔊😎
Great review John. I own the M10v2 and purchased the two flex's (w. Battery packs also for versatility) - albeit they are still on backorder...
Terrific unit - my only frustrations are
No source selection on the remote
The unit won't flick back to BluOS source when jumping into Tidal connect whilst HDMI earc is engaged (you have to use touchscreen)
The TV will always boot up assuming the audio system is in use. Using the tv remote you always have to change back to TV speakers (HDMI glitch it seems)
Which speakers are you running the NAD on? And have you heard any benefits of using Dirac?
Any device you have to place on a shelf or bend down to look at will always benefit more from buttons that provide feedback to user, touch screens just are too awkward in that scenario as you often use these things without directly looking at it, so you rely on the touch feedback from a physical button
I’ve watched this video about 20 times now. One of my favourites. I’ve gone and replaced my Naim Nova and have gone for the M10 v2 and pulse flex. Let’s see how we go ! ……..
We done very well indeed !
Great review! Too bad you didn’t talk about the pre out option for power amps and larger speakers upgrades
It seems they fixed a few things that they hand on heart denied were issues with the original and just kept going. Good review, thanks for your insights as always.
Finally! Save it to watch it with a coffe latter
Nad looks great and has many useful features. Have you tried hard to drive speakers? Because 100 watt at 4 ohm and no specification for 2 ohm, on the paper it doesn’t seem to have a great driving potential.
there's a huge price gap between the M10 and the tdai-1120, like 700 euro
Great video John, this looks like a real "entertainment hub" dare I say it.🎧🙂👍
I loved the sound, but I found it was unstable. It kept hanging up and I had to re-set it. I ended up returning it. You probably don't run these things long enough to experience the problem. It worked fine for a week, but after that it kept locking up and eventually I stopped using it and returned it.
why is the signal to noise ratio so low at 85db?
Can we expect a „younger and cheaper brother” of Nad M10- Nad C700? I bought one and I think is great but I’d like to hear something about it from professional perspective.
Andrew Robison did a video on the C700 if I recall correctly
@@joshmcgowan4 I watched this Video many times before I bought my own, but I still prefer Darko Audio content and I’d love to hear John’s opinion about C700.
What difference does it make if you already own it and enjoy it? He’s just a random bloke on the internet. If he said it was 💩💩💩 would you sell it?
^^^this^^^ Darko videos are BETTER. Let's see an in depth C700. Loved this video.⚡
@@doifeellucky Of course not, but I really enjoy John’s videos and his point of view. I just wanna confront my thoughts about stuff that I have.
That midrange spread-back with Dirac I imagine is because the processing has fixed a bunch of phase and timing issues between the drivers as they hit the listening posiition. Dirac does some voodoo beyond just timing and EQ. When left = right in timing, response, phase, throughout the bandwidth, that's when imaging and staging happens. I'll bet separation in the stage improved as well after a good Dirac tune.. By that I mean the air between the instruments. Space between.. And more pinpoint imaging and depth. I'll bet also a sweep in room eq wizard of left then right speakers before and after dirac would show some telling information in how they come together better after Dirac was implemented.
Seriously considering one of these, I’ve had enough of Naim. I had (still have) a UnitiLite which I bought for streaming/NAS use etc. but it’d overhead and lose connection continuously rendering it an ornament and just became a massive pain in the ar*s. I bought a Node 2i on a whim as it was cheap and then my old faithful A400 gave up the ghost. Then I went back and bought a Naim Nova as I do prefer the look/feel of the app better than the Bluesound. 1 year later I have issues with the Naim. Have to reinstate the WiFi handshake (mildly irritating) every now and again but now I’m having to factory reset (really irritating) as the POS freezes. This time it won’t reset so I have a 4K brick. Grrrrrrrrrr. A400 now fixed and the Node 2i never fails. Learn this expensive lesson from me and avoid Naim. They will tell you it’s unusual but the forums are full of these issues, then they’ll tell you to check your have you check your router etc.etc.
One of the reasons why i sold my lovely accuphase preamp was dirac from the nad c658. Like with dirac ON, my loudspeakers are playin like on steroids! Like 30% better sound in comparison. Now i am steering at a piece of plastic instead of nice materials ! But dont care !
Great comparison. If your speakers are very easy to drive, would that change your view?