Nad 2005 Catalog

Page 1

CLASS ENGINEERING

MASTER

NAD

Page 2

OVER DECADES HIS WORK HAS EARNED 5-STAR REVIEWS.

Page 3

PROPRIETARY THINKING.
TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGHS. UNSURPASSED SPECIFICATIONS.
T/ae three key elements ofNADs Master-Class Engineering

For many companies today, advanced
engineering is the goal. It represents a crowning
level of achievement. Once attained, it is
coveted.

But NADs design team views it quite
differently. They are not one to relinquish their
ambition even in the celebration of a great
accomplishment.

NAD sees the most advanced engineering
not as an end point but as a brand new starting
line. It represents a challenge to see how much
further NAD designers can go.

This assertive philosophy shaped the new
Masters Series. Before pen was put to paper it
was determined that this new component series
would be breakthrough.

Small wonder then, that its become a shining
example of proprietary thinking, technological
breakthroughs and unsurpassed specifications.

These three elements define a new, more
challenging level of engineering. NADs Master»
Class Engineering.

This brochure details all the technological
achievements that contribute to Master-Class
Engineering and the superiority of the Masters

Series.

Before you read it, allow us to highlight one
more point that works to your great advantage.

It has to do with the unsurpassed
specifications'. the Masters Series is built far
better than systems have to be. it has massive
quality within. Nothing was spared, from the
use of one»of-kind "Holmgren" transformers, to
special wave form heat sinks and housings of
thick high-grade steel.

Inside, the Masters Series is athing of beauty.
NAD designers insisted upon it.

We give this beauty a special name
commensurate with its quality. Instead of mere
build quality, we call it NAD Build-Artistry. If
that communicates a no-compromise attitude,
we dont mind a bit.

Because here innovative thinking is matched
by brilliant construction. We couldnt allow
anything less. As that wouldn't be up to the

Master level.

Page 12

M25

SEVEN

CHANNEL

POWER

AMPLIFIER.

Suddenly you become the Master ofnew [we]: ofpowe for [1 (13117227 sound. A mirzimum 0f160 watts per c/mrme/provex it.

MASSIVE POWER

More power is always better w en it comes
to sound quality. Power is required not only
to play loudly, but also to play cleanly without
audible distortion. When an amplifier is asked
for more power than it was designed to deliver,

it can only respond with distortion.

Fortunately the M25 is one of the most
powerful amplifiers on the market today
designed for home use. With a minimum of
160 continuous watts per channel, all channels
driven simultaneously from 20Hz to 20kHz at
rated distortion of 0.03%, the M25 easily

delivers lifelike sound levels even in large

home theatre rooms. It handily meets THXs
most stringent certification level, Ultra 2.
Unlike most surround sound receivers
(NAD's own receivers are a rare exception) that
only rate power with 1 or 2 channels running,
or use very short term measurements, the M25

can deliver its full rated power continuously for

hours on end. Custom designed heat sinks
and thermostatically regulated variable speed
fans keep things cool under the most severe
operating conditions. A unique fan circuit that
tracks signal level. actually shuts down the
fans during quiet passages to prevent any

mechanical noise from interfering.

Page 17

Unlike many high performance amplifiers,
the M3 includes a full suite of convenience
features. Speaker switching for two pairs of
speakers and very flexible tone controls are
provided, as is a Zone 2 output with its own
independent set of commands and dedicated
ZR 3 remote cont ol. Front panel controls
use a multi-function knob and buttons to
quickly navigate all amplifier functions. Direct
access is available to many functions via the
M3 remote handset. The M3 handset also
features basic controls for the matching NAD
DVD/SACD player.

Performance features include a multi-stage
precision volume attenuator with 0.5dB steps
and a range of 87.5dB, a remote balance
co l with 0.5dB steps, and a Mode control
that allows stereo, left only, right only, and mono
settings. Tone controls offer bass and treble
adjustment, as well as a spectral tilt option
that is highly effective at correcting the tonal
balance of many recordings by simultaneously
increasing the bass and decreasing the treble
(and vice versa) to create a warmer (or cooler)
balance. We have also included a second set
of preamp outputs and a switchable high pass
filter for the internal amplifier, to allow easy
implementation of an active subwoofer or
biamplification.

The rugged chassis is built using thick
2mm mild steel plates with a front panel

employing extruded aluminum and die-cast

zinc in its construction. Special attention was

paid to the control of mechanical resonance,

as this can affect sonic performance. Special
isolation feet use aluminum and silicon rubber
in a vibration damping configuration. All signal
connectors are heavy duty gold plated types
specifically engineered for the NAD Masters
Series components. Finished inside and out,
the M3 utilizes powder coating and advanced
automotive paint finishes, creating an enduring

and elegant mechanical package.

PREAMP DESIGN

The preamp uses all discrete low noise high
impedance J-FET buffer amps and very high
quality reed relay switches at the preamp input.
Special high current low output impedance
Class A gain modules provide tremendous
dynamic headroom and high output current,
combined with a exceptional S/N ratio in
excess of -100dB (IHF).

The volume attenuator is very unique in that
it uses discrete 1% precision resistors that keep
impedance (and noise) very low. lt is arrayed in
3 stages to reduce the residual noise in each
amplifying stage and prevent the cascade
effect of noise that is present in most preamp
designs. This circuit also provides the balance
control, and as a result channel separation is
superb and inter-channel cross talk is virtually
eliminated. These resistor arrays are switched
using 15 volt digital switches under software
control, keeping an attenuation at the ideal
point in the circuit architecture.

Low impedance stepped tone controls

provide +/» 5 db of boost/cut in the bass and

180 watts X 2, 1OH2 ~ 20kHz, with <0.03% THD, both channels
driven into 8 or 4 Ohms.

Dynamic power of 280 watts at 8 Ohms, 480 watts at 4 Ohms, and
785 watts at 2 Ohms.

PowerDrive'

Dual stage high current/high voltage power supply

Dual Mono topology

Twin NAD Custom-Made Holmgren Toroidal transformer

Ultra precise multi-stage electronic volume control using discreet resistors
7 inputs, including 1 balanced XLR

Tape/Zone 2 output (independent source selection, no volume control)
Speakers A + B with custom 5 way binding posts

Biamp mode with selectable 40, 60, 80, 100 Hz crossover frequency
on Pre Out 1

Pre Out 2 allows for additional amplification or powered subwoofer
Main Amp input

Remote Bass and Treble controls with Spectral Tilt option

Remote Balance control with 0.5 dB steps

Selectable Mono, Left, Right, and Stereo options

RS»232 interface for advanced custom installations

12V Trigger for advanced control options, 1 Out

3.5mm lR Control jacks, 1 In and 2 Out

Detachable AC cord

M3 System Remote Control

ZR 3 second zone remote

Page 22

T H E IN SID E s T 0 BY. Independent Signnipntnsfor DVD-Audio and SACD pins dun! nigh-speed
video DACs maintain the highestpossiole resolution ofnndio and video quality.

12 bit/216MHz video DAC
from Analog Devices for
component output.

Independant video DACs
allow simultaneuous
feed to zone 2.

Burr Brown 24 bit/192KHZ
audio DACs and OPAmps.

A unique vibration

damping foot comprised

of a cast aluminum support
with a highly absorbent
silicon rubber insert provides
superior vibration resistance.

HDMI by Silicon Image®.

Faroudja 0001' video
processor upconverts to
720p and 1080i.*

Independant SACD and
DVD-A processors with
bass management.

High performance DVD/
SACD drive.

Proprietary "switch mode"
power supply for ultra
low noise and rock solid
voltages.

software dependant