NAD Launches First A/V Receivers With 7.1 Surround Decoding

6-Feb-02

NAD has updated their lineup of affordable home theatre products with the new T 762 and T 752 A/V receivers.These new receivers are the first two of three receivers that will offer 7.1 surround decoding and are slated for a 2002 release. As the latest offering to their growing Theatre Series product line, the T 762 and T 752 both incorporate NAD's ""Music First"" philosophy as the cornerstone to their ambitious design goals. Both the T 762 and T 752 offer DolbyÆ Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ESÆ and DTSÆ Neo:6Æ decoding, along with 7.1 Matrix, Dolby Pro Logic II, and the proprietary NAD EARS circuitry for creating natural surround sound from any format input -- 7.1, 6.1, 5.1 and 2.0 stereo, digital or analog. Also included is a ""Stereo Enhanced"" mode that uses no processing, but allows the stereo signal to be sent to any or all of the selected 7.1 channels depending on listener preference. There is also an analog bypass mode for stereo purists. Surround processing is automatically detected via the digital inputs, and the most appropriate decoding format is switched in. Conversion of the decoded digital bit stream is performed with high resolution and extremely linear D/A converters, carefully selected for their performance capabilities. The EARS (Enhanced Ambience Recovery System) circuitry uses DSP technology to extract the natural ambience in a stereo recording and redirect it to the surround channels, creating a warm, naturally reverberant effect without any artificiality. The T 762 also includes an HDCDÆ decoder. NAD has always been very conservative when quoting output power ratings, preferring to state the guaranteed minimum rather than the optimistic ""best case"" hyperbole offered by many of their competitors. Rather than the usually-stated FTC multichannel power specs stated by most competitors, NAD chooses the far stricter and more conservative ""worse case"" condition power rating, with all channels driven simultaneously, at any frequency 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with less than 0.08% THD at 8 and 4 ohms. Finally, in what is considered to be most representative of real-world performance, NAD specifies dynamic power (IHF 20 ms toneburst) at 8, 4 and 2 ohms. Both receivers include full 7.1 decoding available on their preamp outputs, yet NAD has left the number of power amplifier channels up to the end user, with the T 752 including five amplifiers, the T 762 including six amplifiers, and the forthcoming T 772 including seven power amplifiers. This follows the longstanding NAD tradition of ""building block"" architecture with preamp outputs and main amp inputs, allowing upgrading to separate power amps and complete flexibility with the receiver's own native channel configuration. Start with 5.1 and add the two extra channels when budget or whim dictates, or reconfigure some channels to drive a second zone.The T 762 delivers 100 watts per channel of continuous power with all six channels driven simultaneously at rated distortion into 8 or 4 ohms. The T 752 is rated at 80 watts per channel of continuous power with all five channels driven simultaneously. In terms of dynamic power, the T 752 capable of 220 watts into 2 ohms, and the T 762 can deliver 300 watts into 2 ohms. Incorporating the patented NAD exclusive ISC (Impedance Sensing Circuit), the power supply settings of the amplifier are automatically adjusted to meet the needs of the loudspeaker, even 4-ohm designs, to ensure optimum performance for the actual operating conditions, and full dynamic power capability.Both receivers supply the flexibility required to serve as a command center for the most sophisticated home theatre system, providing a full suite of inputs and outputs to accommodate all the latest digital audio and video products. Both receivers feature six video inputs, all with S-video and composite. In addition, the T 762 featuring three component Video Inputs and the T 752 with two component video inputs ensure that either receiver is a perfect compliment to a system incorporating multiple component video equipped sources such as a DVD player and a satellite receiver. The single component output allows for component video switching to an HDTV monitor. There are six digital inputs (four coaxial, two Toslink) with two digital outputs (one coaxial, one Toslink). Three additional audio-only analog inputs are provided, as well as a separate 7.1 analog input for DVD-Audio. For convenience, the preferred surround mode can be assigned to each input location during the initial setup. There are even two sets of tape loops, a single set of stereo pairs for making audio dubs and two separate loops for making video dubs. Moreover, the receivers remember the last used settings when switched in and out of Standby mode.The preamp output and amplifier input for all channels allows the use of a separate multichannel power amp. This comes in handy for upgrading from a 5.1- to a 7.1-channel system. The internal amplifier can be used for five to six channels of amplification (depending on whether the T 762 or T 752 is being used) and an additional amplifier can be added for the extra channels. There are two subwoofer preamp outputs as well.NAD has made a commitment to the custom installation market with a 12 V input trigger and three 12 V output triggers to allow for automatically switching remote zone components such as amplifiers and video projectors (even lights) on and off. IR inputs and output make it easy to integrate with popular control systems like Xantech and Niles, among others. Discrete ""on"" and ""off"" commands, and direct access to inputs and FM presets make it possible to integrate with popular remote keypad systems.More elaborate systems can be created with the T 762, using the Multi-Source output to add additional amplifiers and speakers with the added benefit of independent source selection and volume control. Even a separate second zone remote is included. A second pair of speakers can be added to the front channel amplifiers and switched on or off from the remote control or front panel switch, making it possible to listen. For integration with a host of advanced control systems, there is an RS-232 port.NAD took special measures to ensure operation of the T 762 and T 752 was logical and straightforward. Initial system setup is accomplished using the simple on-screen display on any video monitor system. Five Custom Scenario Presets can be stored with unique speaker level and tone control settings for instant recall. This allows a user to set up one type of playback for multichannel music and a completely different setup for movie soundtracks. Channel volume settings for sub, center and surround can be adjusted on the fly without entering any setup menus for maximum convenience. The FM tuner includes 30 favorite station presets that can be custom named, or if the station supports the Radio Data System (RDS) an automatic stream of information about the station and music being played is displayed.The HTR-2 Universal Learning Remote comes with both receivers. The buttons illuminate for easy operation in low light environments. Remote commands for products not already included in the HTR-2's memory can be easily learned by the HTR-2. Also, the HTR-2's Macro function allows up to eight individual commands to be triggered by the pressing just two keys. The NAD T 762 has a suggested retail price of $1,299, and will be available in April. The T 752 A/V has a suggested retail price of $899, and will be available in March. For more information about NAD, visit www.nadelectronics.com.

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