NAD M10 connected amplifier

The NAD M10 connected amplifier represents what the connected electronics of tomorrow could be, but today!

NAD M10: HOUSING

Despite its modest size (215 x 100 x 260 mm), the NAD M10 includes a state of art technology and a lot of features.

The metal case receives a textured black paint and the top has a "gorilla" type glass plate that is highly resistant to scratches, like on tablets or smartphones.

The finish is of very high quality.

NAD M10: FRONT PANEL AND BACK PANEL

A huge color touch screen on the front panel gives access to all the functions offered by this device. By the way, it can be controlled by Amazon Alexa or Siri.

At the back of this amplifier, there is a pair of large gold-plated WBT-style terminal blocks. In addition, there are 2 RCA analogue inputs and 1 Pre-Out output. As well as 2 SUB outputs, 1 HDMI eARC and 1 Ethernet (RJ45) input.

The DAC part offers 1 Type A USB, 1 coaxial (RCA) and 1 optical (Toslink).

NAD M10: AMPLIFICATION

The M10 receives Hybrid Digital nCore amplification. This offers an outstanding efficiency as well as a large amount of continuously available power.

It delivers 2 x 100 W of power at 4 and 8 ohms and to 20H from 20 kHz. Its power and viability, thanks to a very high damping factor, allow it to drive the majority of compact and mid-range tower speakers.

It is equipped with the Dirac Live Room Correction technology. This correction and calibration acoustic system allows you to optimize the restitution following the acoustic characteristic of the device. It processes frequencies between 20 Hz and 200 Hz.

A dedicated USB micro is included with the M10.

NAD M10: COMPATIBILITY

The NAD M10 integrates a high-performing Sabre ESS audio DAC that makes it compatible with PCM and DSD high-resolution audio files. This DAC processes digital signals with a resolution of 32 bits/384 kHz!

It is compatible with most of the formats (all?!): MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, ALAC, OPUS, MQA, DSD, FLAC, WAV and AIFF. Of course, in addition to this are the files extracted via a local area network (NAS) or even from a computer connected to the network.

The M10 connected amplifier integrates most of the streaming services as well as Internet radios (TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Calm Radio and Radio Paradis).

NAD M10: CONNECTION

The NAD M10 can be connected to a wired Ethernet network, WiFi and also Bluetooth. The particularity of this one is that it is aptX and bidirectional. So it can work as receiver and/or transmitter. So it is possible to establish a wireless connection with a smartphone, a tablet but also with a Bluetooth headphone.

The NAD M10 receives the BluOS operating system, which is the only high-resolution multi-room system available today. It processes the new Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) standard, for high resolution streaming.

NAD M10: TEST AND LISTENING

The resolution of this NAD amplifier keeps up with the means invested. The quality is also related to a product in this range.

Since the very first notes, we are surprised by the bass quality and its kind of “punchy” side. The dynamics are great and the power reserve sufficient to "drive" the Hi-Fi speakers even a little difficult.

The sound scene is impressive by its fullness as well as the precision and location.

The voices are perfectly centered and their presence gives an evident realism.

The timbres are well manufactured and we do not feel any aggressiveness or a treble rising as for some competing products.

The NAD M10 connected amplifier is a product related to our era and that meets expectations of new music lovers...

Of course, it cannot compete with separate high-end products, but at this price, it seriously outshines some unaffordable connected products that benefit more from marketing than true musicality!

Highly recommended!