NAD T 775 A/V Receiver (TPV 88)
A Cut Above In Ways That Matter
April 7th, 2010 -- by Chris MartensSource: The Perfect Vision
Bottom Line:
NAD’s T 775 is a premium-priced A/V receiver that puts its primary emphasis on sound quality—taking what NAD would characterize as a “music first” approach. The receiver is rich in those feature that matter most, but at the end of the day it is a product that is more about delivering sonic power and refinement than providing the latest features, functions, or technical gimmicks du jour. The receiver’s ingenious MDC architecture does, however, offer a welcome measure of future proofing that should help preserve your investment.
For the price of the T 775, the fact is that you could buy an AVR that offered more channels, (ostensibly) more power, or more expansive feature sets. But that said, I think you would be very hard pressed to find a receiver that sounds better than—or even as good as—this NAD, which to my way of thinking makes the T 775 the smarter buy in the long run.
SPECS & PRICING
NAD T 775 7.1 channel A/V receiver
Power output: 7 x 100 Wpc @ 8 ohms, or 2 x 130 Wpc @ 8 ohms, with channels driven from 10 Hz – 20kHz ± 0.3 dB at less than 0.05% distortion.
Decoding formats:Dolby Digital TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS Digital Surround 96/24, DTS Neo:6, proprietary EARS mode, Enhanced Stereo, and Enhanced Bass mode, multichannel PCM (up to 7.1 channels at up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution).
Video inputs/outputs:six analog video inputs (all S-Video and composite, 1 front panel); three component video inputs (HDTV compatible); three analog video outputs—two tape (composite and S-Video) and one Zone (composite); four v1.3 1080p HDMI digital audio/video inputs; four video monitor outputs (HDMI, component, S-Video and composite formats).
Audio inputs/outputs:seven stereo analog audio inputs (one front panel); three stereo analog audio outputs (two assignable as Tape Out, or as Zone 3 and Zone 4 Outputs with independent source and volume control); one 7.1-channel analog audio input (for DVD Audio/SACD/etc.); seven digital audio inputs, (3 coax and 4 optical, 1 front panel); two digital audio outputs (1 coax and 1 optical); preamp outputs for all 7.2 channels (2 Subwoofers); four v1.3 1080p HDMI digital audio/video inputs; one XM satellite radio antenna module input; AM/FM Radio tuner; one headphone output.
Other: RS-232 port (1 in), 3 x IR Outputs, 1 x IR Input; 3 x 12V Output Triggers, 1 x 12V input; auto calibration mic (1)
Dimensions (HxWxD): 6.125" x 17.125" x 16.56"
Weight: 50 pounds
Price: $2999
NAD Electronics International
(800) 263-4641
www.nadelectronics.com
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Comments
I have had the T775's big brother for more than a year. After some early initial growing pains addressed with firmware fixes, the new NAD is a straightforward, yet sublime, performer. This is my second NAD AVR and I can verify it will effortlessly go louder than I'm comfortable listening. I spent time playing with the Audyssey curves early on and settled on NAD's proprietary curve. My AVR is the control center for an HT setup. So, little music beyond video concerts is played. As a result, the NAD curve is the most pleasing option and yields clear detailed dialogues and excellent surround decoding. Yet, these AVR's have the ability to provide the oomph when called upon to do so. I think the reviewer is spot-on with their assessment of these superb AVR's. If you aren't familiar with NAD, do yourself a favor and give them a demo. But be aware, you may well find yourself looking for a home for your old Denon or Pioneer as a result.
Just a slight correction to your description of the Audyssey curve. It does *not* emphasize the bass - it is flat in the bass and midrange, has a small dip at about 2 kHz, then starts to slowly roll off at 4 kHz so it's -2dB at 10kHz, then a little steeper to -6dB at 20 kHz. It's useful since many HT seats are outside the critical distance - Flat is useful for seats inside the critical distance, such as close seating or heavily damped rooms. This info is available from the second google hit on "Audyssey target curve".
Chris- I wonder how this compares with the (admitedly more expensive ) Arcam AVRS, as well as the new Cambridge Azur models ?