NAD Showcases Flagship A/V Preamp/Processor, Multichannel Power Amp In Silver Series

THX Ultra-Certified S170 Surround Sound Preamp Processor And Five-Channel S250 Power Amp Deliver ""Music First"" Performance And Sophistication

1-Oct-01

NAD showcased its THXÆ Ultra-certified Silver Series S170 Surround Sound Preamp/Processor and five-channel S250 Power Amplifier at CEDIA EXPO 2001. The S170, NAD's most sophisticated home theatre product to date, brings not only DolbyÆ Digital and DTSÆ Digital Surroundô processing, but also THX Surround EXô decoding for 7.1-channel surround sound. Moreover, the S170, and its companion five-channel amplifier, the S250, fuse uncompromising ""music first"" engineering with a remarkably sophisticated, yet value-oriented design focus. S170 Surround Preamp/ProcessorThe S170 combines Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, DTS and THX Surround EX processing in this THX-Ultra multi-channel preamplifier that embodies the same exceedingly high sonic standards as the original Silver Series S100 Preamplifier. Decoding in all modes is entirely in the digital domain. Analog services are not subjected to any digital processing when listened to in their native channel configuration. And, in these days of rapid digital format changes, the S170 is equipped with a fully upgradeable digital processor on a separate plug-in circuit board. The specially engineered, ultra-low noise, switch-mode power supply enables the S170 to achieve supply voltages of unexcelled stability and purity. These supply voltages remain totally independent despite various demands on all six channels, or even the requirements of future digital upgrades.The S170 and S250, developed by NAD and built in the USA, are assembled on the same type of impressive heavy gauge, all-alloy chassis as earlier Silver Series models. Each bear the Silver Series' characteristic gleaming finish, a result of heavy gauge, sandblasted aluminum. There's more than style at work here. The unusually solid, attractive chasses are engineered to be anti-resonant, and not promote external magnetic fields.The S170's audio circuits employ the latest high performance FET operational amplifiers, and all 7.1 channels deliver exceedingly low output impedance, eliminating the sonic impact of cable (and amplifier input) impedance. The S170's output muting is performed via reliable, sonically transparent, gold contact relays (rather than sound-coloring electronic switching), and includes gold-surfaced connectors throughout. The result is a surround controller that stands as the sonic equal of the very best stereo high-end preamps, while also capable of delivering the power and realism of the best multichannel recordings. The S170's superb performance earned it approval under the THX Ultra program, a clear certification of no-holds-barred home theatre performance.The S170 combines ultra-high speed DSP processing, employing the latest-generation Motorola DSP with fully 24-bit/96 kHz capable D/A converters for all channels, yielding state-of-the-art surround decoding and sound quality in every mode. All digital circuits are run from a single, high precision master clock to insure that no timing errors can occur between the various digital circuits that comprise this sophisticated control center. Superb surround sound performance is available from any stereo source. In addition to its superb Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, the S170 performs extremely accurate, digital-domain Pro Logic decoding. Also included is the latest THX surround mode, THX Surround EX. Thanks to NAD's proprietary Enhanced Ambience Recovery System (EARS), unlike typical ambience synthesis modes, EARS employs the S170's enormous DSP calculating power to route the ambient content that is ""encrypted"" in virtually all natural acoustic recordings to the appropriate main, center and surround speakers -- without resorting to artificially-generated reflections or regeneration. EARS's natural ambience yields a subtle but extraordinarily effective surround mode that naturally enhances the spatial presentation in a fashion suitable for serious music listening.The S170 incorporates a sophisticated bass management system with a configurable bass limiter for low frequency effects (LFE) channel adjustments to contour the sound from the subwoofer channel. The level trims are set to .05 dB increments for the highly accurate system calibration. While emphasizing sonics and performance, the S170 is also fully equipped to serve as a very able master component, even for complex multichannel systems. Six digital inputs, including a pro-type BNC connection, plus three coaxial and two optical ports are freely assignable, while an additional two digital outputs facilitate recording. All digital inputs and outputs are buffered and transformer-coupled to provide a precise impedance match to minimize digital signal ""jitter."" There's also a 5.1-channel analog input to accept the future addition of an outboard surround processor, such as DVD-Audio and/or an SACD component.Four analog inputs and no fewer than eight video paths (all with S-Video), including a component video input/output for full-integrated DVD or digital TV use, comprise the S170's input/output complement.The S170 employs a fully independent Zone 2 multi-source stereo output to accommodate whole-house expansion. An RS-232 serial port can be used to integrate a touch-panel system or install software upgrades using the available Windows 98 user interface program. There are three 12-volt trigger outputs provided for sophisticated systems control. Of course, the S170 also incorporates NAD-Link for hard-wired remote operation, and is equipped with a full-system remote controller in a matching metal case with illuminated LCD screen. While the S250 five-channel power amplifier was designed specifically as a companion piece to the S170 preamplifier, when configuring a 7.1 surround sound setup an additional amplifier is required. Either the Silver Series S200 (225 watts per channel) high performance stereo amplifier ($1,999) or the Classic Series C270 (120 watts per channel, $599) are ideal companions. The S200 is the more correct match for customers who will be listening to a great deal of stereo sources and want more power to the front channels. When budgets are tighter, and matching cosmetics are not an issue, the C270 is ideal and is also a good option for second zone power.S250 Multichannel Power AmplifierIt was a tough challenge that NAD met head-on to maintain the Silver Series' very high standards for sonic excellence and still produce a five-channel power amp with sufficient power for large home theatre layouts, with even enough reserves for lower sensitivity 5.1-channel speaker arrays. The S250's five fully independent, 125-watt channels supply sufficient performance, stability and reliability to earn, with ease, the demanding THX Ultra certification.The S250 employs monoblock construction for each of its five channels. Every element of each channel's circuitry, save the power transformer, is fully independent, eliminating inter-channel influences as a concern. Like its stereo predecessor, the Silver Series S200, the five-channel S250 is stable and musical even into ""unreasonable"" loudspeaker loads. A huge version of NAD's unique, extremely low noise/low hum ""Holmgren""-type power transformer, a significant advance over conventional toroid components, works in concert with five monoblock amplifier sections. Over 60,000 microfarads of storage capacitance ensure an ample reserve of power for even the most demanding music and film soundtracks.Each section features a pure Class A differential input and driver stage circuits, and a high current output stage design, employing the same high speed output devices as used in the S200 to promulgate superb dynamic quality. The result is musical detail, impact, and soundstage stability and depth unmatched by multichannel amps of two and three times the S250's price. Individual gain adjustment for each channel promotes easy, accurate system configuration, as does the S250's integral 12-volt-trigger turn-on response, which features a sophisticated ""zero crossing"" triad rather than the more common mechanical relay, to promote long component life and reduced turn-on surge. The multichannel amplifier delivers its output via very heavy duty, five-way connectors. NAD was the first company to introduce a THX-certified power amplifier, so, it was no surprise the NAD S250 passed THX's stringent requirements with flying colors. As a result, the NAD S250 will handle all dynamics with ease, and yet retain every subtle detail in the most demanding surround sound systems.NAD's proprietary (and defeatable) Soft Clipping circuit maintains sonic quality, under even severe overdrive conditions. This is particularly important with A/V software that often consists of very dynamic outbursts in which, unlike music, it is difficult to hear this potentially damaging distortion.Ruggedness and in-system reliability are critical to successful custom-installed systems. This amplifier utilizes a combination of fuse and electronic non-intrusive protection -- dependable, fail-safe and sonically benign. Each channel is protected against excess temperature, DC fault and loudspeaker short-circuiting. Most important of all, the S250's inherently conservative, high voltage/high current output stage engineering has been designed for years of high performance, trouble-free service.The S170 Surround Preamp/Processor ($3,499) and S250 Multichannel Power Amplifier ($2,499) are available this fall from NAD dealers. For more information, visit www.nadelectronics.com.

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