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How to set up NAD M66 and two M23 in Bridge Mode?

Updated

Prerequisite 

  1. Upgrade M66 with the latest BluOS firmware. (Note: This upgrade is necessary to configure the correct L and R levels in bridge mode) 
  2. Adjust the volume limits using M66's Front panel display or BluOS Controller App to [-20] dB Max(a). This adjustment reduces the chance of damage due to the very high power of M23 and M66 in bridge mode.
    ((a)Note: - You can later adjust this setting to match your personal preference of maximum playback level.)
    • Front panel display –
      1. Select the left Navigation menu (3 lines). 
      2. Select the settings icon  blobid1.png > Player > Volume Limits (dB).
    • BluOS Controller App – 
      1. In the BluOS Controller App, select the Player Drawer. 
      2. Select the context menu (3 dots) of M66. 
      3. Select Audio Settings > Volume limits (dB).

IMPORTANT! – Disconnect the power supply of all Players before proceeding. 

You can connect the two M23s to an M66 using either a Single-Ended or Balanced connection. 

Single-Ended Connection

101_M66_M23 Bridge mode_SingleEnded.jpg

On M23 (LEFT) – Single-Ended Connection

  1. Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON (BRIDGE) position. 
  2. Set the AUDIO INPUT (RIGHT) channel - SELECT switch to the SE (R) position. (Note: Do NOT use BALANCED(R)). 
  3. Set the AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) channel - SELECT switch to the SE (L) position. (Note: Do NOT use BALANCED(L)). 
  4. Set the GAIN LEVEL switch to the MID position. 
  5. Connect M66's SINGLE-ENDED (L) (white color) left channel to M23 (LEFT)'s AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) - SE input. (Note: Do NOT connect any other cables to M23 (LEFT)'s inputs) 
  6. Connect the Left speaker to the M23 (LEFT)'s SPEAKERS terminal as follows:
    • Left speaker's (+) terminal to M23 (LEFT)'s SPEAKERS LEFT (+) terminal. 
    • Left speaker's (–) terminal to M23 (LEFT)'s SPEAKERS RIGHT (–) terminal. 
  7. (Optional) To control the switching of M23 (LEFT), in line with M66's ON/OFF –
    Connect a 3.5 mm minijack to minijack mono cable between M66's +12V TRIGGER OUT 1 and M23 (LEFT)'s +12V TRIGGER IN.

On M23 (RIGHT) – Single-Ended Connection

  1. Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON (BRIDGE) position. 
  2. Set the AUDIO INPUT (RIGHT) channel - SELECT switch to the SE (R) position. (Note: Do NOT use BALANCED(R)). 
  3. Set the AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) channel - SELECT switch to the SE (L) position. (Note: Do NOT use BALANCED(L)). 
  4. Set the GAIN LEVEL switch to the MID position. 
  5. Connect M66's SINGLE-ENDED (R) (Red color) right channel to M23 (RIGHT)'s AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) - SE input. (Note: Do NOT connect any other cables to M23 (RIGHT)'s inputs) 
  6. Connect the Right speaker to the M23 (RIGHT)'s SPEAKERS terminal as follows:
    • Right speaker's (+) terminal to M23 (RIGHT)'s SPEAKERS LEFT (+) terminal. 
    • Right speaker's (–) terminal to M23 (RIGHT)'s SPEAKERS RIGHT (–) terminal.
  7. (Optional) To control the switching of M23 (RIGHT), in line with M66's ON/OFF –
    Connect a 3.5 mm minijack to minijack mono cable between M66's +12V TRIGGER OUT 2 and M23 (RIGHT)'s +12V TRIGGER IN.

Balanced Connection

102_M66_M23 Bridge mode_BALANCED.jpg

On M23 (LEFT) – Balanced Connection

  1. Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON (BRIDGE) position. 
  2. Set the AUDIO INPUT (RIGHT) channel - SELECT switch to the BALANCED (R) position. (Note: Do NOT use SE (R)). 
  3. Set the AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) channel - SELECT switch to the BALANCED (L) position. (Note: Do NOT use SE(L)). 
  4. Set the GAIN LEVEL switch to the MID position. 
  5. Connect M66's BALANCED (L) left channel to M23 (LEFT)'s AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) - BALANCED input. (Note: Do NOT connect any other cables to M23 (LEFT)'s inputs) 
  6. Connect the Left speaker to the M23 (LEFT)'s SPEAKERS terminal as follows:
    • Left speaker's (+) terminal to M23 (LEFT)'s SPEAKERS LEFT (+) terminal. 
    • Left speaker's (–) terminal to M23 (LEFT)'s SPEAKERS RIGHT (–) terminal. 
  7. (Optional) To control the switching of M23 (LEFT), in line with M66's ON/OFF –
    Connect a 3.5 mm minijack to minijack mono cable between M66's +12V TRIGGER OUT 1 and M23 (LEFT)'s +12V TRIGGER IN.

On M23 (RIGHT) – Balanced Connection

  1. Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON (BRIDGE) position. 
  2. Set the AUDIO INPUT (RIGHT) channel - SELECT switch to the BALANCED (R) position. (Note: Do NOT use SE(R)). 
  3. Set the AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) channel - SELECT switch to the BALANCED (L) position. (Note: Do NOT use SE(L)). 
  4. Set the GAIN LEVEL switch to the MID position. 
  5. Connect M66's BALANCED (R) right channel to M23 (RIGHT)'s AUDIO INPUT (LEFT, BRIDGE MODE) - BALANCED input. (Note: Do NOT connect any other cables to M23 (RIGHT)'s inputs) 
  6. Connect the Right speaker to the M23 (RIGHT)'s SPEAKERS terminal as follows:
    • Right speaker's (+) terminal to M23 (RIGHT)'s SPEAKERS LEFT (+) terminal. 
    • Right speaker's (–) terminal to M23 (RIGHT)'s SPEAKERS RIGHT (–) terminal.
  7. (Optional) To control the switching of M23 (RIGHT), in line with M66's ON/OFF –
    Connect a 3.5 mm minijack to minijack mono cable between M66's +12V TRIGGER OUT 2 and M23 (RIGHT)'s +12V TRIGGER IN.

Test Configuration 

  1. Power ON all Players. 
  2. Set the volume control to a lower level. 
  3. Play a track with distinct Left and Right and increase(b) the volume gradually. 
    ((b)USE CAUTION: The power of this bridge mode combination is way higher than what most speakers can handle.)  
  4. Check if both speakers play the same volume level and that the differences between the Left and Right channels are distinguishable and not swapped. 
  5. (Optional) Consider performing a DIRAC Room Calibration to analyze the acoustic characteristics of speakers and your room to calibrate the NAD system and reproduce sound as intended. For more information, refer to our Help Center article.  

 M66 and two M23s are now configured in Bridge Mode. M23 (LEFT) drives the left channel, and M23 (RIGHT) drives the right channel.

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