NAD Masters M33 -- first review

[Pim]

Thats right. But it's amazing to see how people here have been bitching about Devialet for years and how they are now getting into a defensive posture and talking things up.

That’s very normal, people complains about Benz reliability and still not going to buy Toyota or Lexus.

M33 isn’t on the same level of Expert Pro. They are on different market.

You are right - this is not about the quality and sound of a device. This is about the fact that you have paid a very high price for a device and therefore also for a supposedly higher quality brand and that you try to justify this effort.

I myself have put in the effort, so I would have to argue the same way. But I'm not. I compare the performance and leave out supposedly higher-value brand discussions.

If I hadn't had a devialet, one could perhaps accuse me of having a few objective views. But I did and I even want the Devialet, despite all the shortcomings, especially in the software.

But if I'm honest - and I'm trying to be - the M33 offers much more for the money.

The absolute gold ears in the world may of course see it differently. We have freedom of opinion. I only describe my impressions as objectively as possible.

The M33 has freed me from all space problems for the first time. And I am grateful for that.

You're right. Price should never be used as an indicator of quality or a means to justify a purchase. 

When I bought my D170, I planned to use it as an interim amp with the view of using it as a pre-amp once I got some mono blocks and then eventually replace it with a 'proper' pre-amp and DAC. It wasn't until I listened to it that I realised I had bought something very special and that's what made me upgrade within the same brand. Since my purchase, I'm sure there are 'better' sounding systems out there now but I have no desire for a change. There's so much more I can do to improve my sound quality without upgrading any part of my system I could be busy for the next ten years.

If the M33 works for you, it works for you. The Od'A works for me so I'm staying with it.