Hi everyone,
I have had my new NAD Masters Series M25 7-channel power amplifier for exactly four weeks today, so it is about time I write a review on it.

First things first, here is a list of my equipment:

Samsung 40-inch LCD TV (soon to be replaced)
Integra DTR7.8 A/V Receiver (used as a pre-amp)
NAD M25 7-channel power amplifier
Pansonic DMP-BD30 Blu-Ray Disc Player
Marantz CD6002 CD Player
Playstation 3 console
Krix Neuphonix front loudspeakers (bi-amped)
Krix Epicentrix centre channel loudspeaker
Krix Phoenix as surround loudspeakers
Krix Seismix 5 sub-woofer

Before purchasing this NAD M25 power amplifier, I had been using the Integra DTR7.8 and it is an excellent A/V Receiver for the money. However, the Krix loudspeakers I have got are all power-hungry, and all 4ohm-rated, so I looked to a dedicated power amplifier for additional "oomph", and boy did I get it with this NAD power amplifier.

NAD claims 7 x 160-watt full disclosure power, all 7 channels powered, 20hz to 20khz. This unit weighs a back-breaking 43.7kg. I can attest that this is an unbelievably heavy unit, as I had to carry it myself when I got home, and it took me about 5 minutes to carry it from my garage to my lounge room.

This is a beautifully-built unit, which is quite surprising for NAD, as NAD is more used to being known to make bland-looking products which sound fantastic. Thankfully, the Masters Series NAD looks the goods and sounds even better than it looks!

If I were to make a comparison with a car, this unit would be like an Audi R8 supercar. It has a lot of grunt but a lot of finesse as well, and a lot of class. Beautifully-built, this unit looks set to last a whole life-time.

Back to the NAD M25, this unit basically comprises of 7 mono-blocs, if you like. A lot of thought has gone into this power amplifier, with copper buss bars employed to separate the separate amplifiers, etc. Even the speaker binding posts are gold-plated.

On to the more interesting aspect of this power amplifier. How does it sound?

WOW! This is a sensational power amplifier. I have read plenty of reviews regarding this power amplifier, which has been around for a couple of years now. However, to experience it for myself in the comfort of my own home with my own equipment, in a less than ideal environment and to be blown away by the sound quality is just sensational.

Listening to discs that I am familiar with, including Die Hard 4.0 (Blu-Ray), Stealth (Blu-Ray), Spider-Man 3 (Blu-Ray), Dido Live at Brixley Hall (DVD), and many CD's that I am familiar with, the sound quality is streets away from the Integra DTR7.8. Clarity, bass depth, transparency, are all top-notch. Listening to more toned-down material, such as Norah Jones's Come Away With Me album, the NAD exhibits a lot of subtlety and warmth.

This is an exceptionally good power amplifier, which I would say would go well with most set-ups. RRP is $4,999.00.

Dan.

Good review Dan ; certainly a cut above the regular NAD power amps and monoblock isolation would be very hard to find at the price point ; the Krix certainly should thrive with the 4 ohm capability

Its a bit of a truism I spose that the more current and watts translates into better dynamic range and headroom . All the more important when the lossy codecs are on the way out with the better dynamics of lossless.Congrats on a wise upgrade

Thanks mate. It has certainly made a significant improvement in the overall sound quality of my set-up.

Now, where is that new next-generation NAD Masters Series M15 (processor) replacement?

thanks for the review Dantan.....would love 1 of these.

Do you find the improvements in sound quality noticeable whatever the volume you are listening at or mainly at higher listening levels?

I must say that with most listening levels, I am hearing more clarity and more detail, but I tend to crank it up most of the time, so in a sense, I should be saying mainly at high volume levels! I have found a tremendous improvement in music reproduction, being able to hear more distinctly musical instruments in the background, better placement, depth, transparency, etc.

Bass depth and tightness at high volume levels are incredible, too. My Krix loudspeakers are loving the massive power generated by the M25.

Dan.

Hi Guys,

I just got my Nad M25 and am looking for information about the 12V trigger cable. Can anyone help me out.... almost no information on the net about it!!

Closest information that I could find was 1/8" mono cable connector....? I was hoping it would be an easy find at Jaycar or DSE....

Cheers,

Andy.

Just added 1 of these to my HT setup as well.

Initial Impressions;

Using Marantz 8002 as pre/pro and Paradigm studio 100's, cc590 with Jamo in ceiling rears.

Yup dantan you are right....its bl**dy heavy.

Connected the I/C rears to the M25 as well, while switching the soft clipping of the M25 to on. Bought cable with 3.5 mm plugs both ends from DSE for the 12 volt trigger to answer the earlier query in this thread.

The M25 has individual gain adjustment knobs for each of the 7 channels; which are very easy to bump as I found out. I was advised by the dealer to set these all at THX (max) which I did.

I had been running the NAD without doing a speaker level calibration and when I finally did 1 today I discovered that the surround left level was way down. I tried adjusting the gain in the Marantz and found that the level would not come up to required dB, thought I had a problem and then the penny dropped...checked the gain control for the surround left on the M25 and yep...it was well off max...set it back to max and was then able to calibrate correctly.

It puts out a reasonable amount of heat in operation and I would not advise placing it in a sealed cabinet.

What has it done for my setup?

2 channel: I prefer to run the 100's full range with no sub. Pink Floyd "Dark side of the Moon" track 1...the heartbeat pulsing wow the 8002 was good on its own, but with the M25 the heartbeat was intense, deep and forceful. When I demoed the same track for the waf, she actually looked to see if the subby was switched on (it wasnt); the bass was that good.

5.1 movies: ran the opening scene of "Casino royale", a noticeable improvement in dynamics, the M25 sounds effortless, scared me a couple of times

Its early days yet but the m25 has been a worthwhile addition to my setup, the paradigm studio 100's and the NAD complement each other very well.

G'day cooksta,
Congratulations on your NAD M25! Yes, it is definitely an exceptionally heavy unit, and I am surely not in a hurry to have it moved.

If you have only just had your M25, I found that it needed about 50 hours worth or running-in, before it started performing optimally. I try and keep my M25 switched on for at least half an hour before using it. I try and keep it on for at least a couple of hours each time, instead of constantly switching it on and off.

Yes, the M25 gets fairly hot, although not as hot as my Integra DTR7.8 (only used as a pre-amplifier - until the NAD M15HD is released some time next year).

Only hooked it up last Thursday, so I will be interested to see if I can notice any performance improvements as it beds in.

So, I have owned my NAD M25 for about 1 year and 2 months now, and am still absolutely thrilled with this exceptional Power Amplifier.

Unfortunately, RRP has now risen by $1,000.00 to $5,999.00.

I thought that I would add that, even though NAD themselves in their Owner's Manual recommends to have "Soft Clipping" turned "On", by switching it "Off", I have noticed - at higher volume levels - that the top-end (treble) is more expressive and the overall soundstage sounds wider.

Based on other members' response on this Forum, it does appear as though everyone seems to agree that switching Soft Clipping "Off" only makes an audible difference when listening at louder volume levels.

Just a note of caution that, if listening at ultra-loud volumes to perhaps switch Soft Clipping "On" because it just might save your loudspeakers.

Dan.

NAD have used soft clipping from the days of the original 3020 (late 1970"s) and it has allways been better switched off - we used to call it party mode
for use only when friends that could not be trusted with the volume were around !

Mind that wass with a 3020 (40 watts from memory) hate to think what the volume would be like to clip that Master 25 with reasonably efficant speakers

For an M25 to go into clipping would mean that the listener is barking mad and will be deaf very soon.