Nad M 15 Brochure

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and user preferences are set, the M15 operates very much like our stereo preamplifi ers. Just select the desired source -� audio or video -� set the volume, and hang onto your hat as the M15 takes you deeply into the essence of the music or movie you are about to experience. Our User Interface uses a clear front panel display as well as an on screen display that provides setup information directly on your connected TV screen. This is where the M15 can be customized to refl ect your specifi c needs and desires. Surround format preferences, level matching of inputs (so there wont be an annoying jump in volume when you switch sources), and even the renaming of inputs can all be set in these simple two layer menus. ONE REMOTE The M15 is supplied with the latest iteration of NADs renowned remote control, the HTRM (Home Theatre Remote -� Masters Series). This smart remote can learn the commands of any IR remote for any other component. The innovative learning circuit can easily memorize any command (including many that other remotes fail on), and can also memorize a sequence of commands (we call this a macro) to simplify the operation of your entire audio video system. We use a logical layout of keys that are supplemented by a two-line LCD display to keep you informed of which component you are controlling and which command is being sent. We strongly believe that this combination of keys and display creates the easiest and most satisfying user interface of any remote control. Once familiar, most operations can be completed using the sense of touch alone, allowing you to stay focused on the video picture of your program. In darkened rooms, the HTRM automatically illuminates its keys and display for easy viewing. The HTR M also includes a PC interface for advanced programming, and easy backup or cloning of your particular HTR M setup. Simply connect via USB cable to a computer running MS Windows and load the supplied program. Commands for various components can be stored, and complex macros can be easily confi gured and downloaded into the HTR M. Special attention has been paid to the ergonomics of the HTR M, and youll fi nd it feels right, whether you are right or left handed, and whether you operate it with one hand or two. Due to the power saving features of the HTRM, the 4 AA batteries have a long life and, when necessary, are inexpensive to replace. The display will inform you when the batteries need replacement. LUXURIOUS DESIGN The design brief reads: The industrial design must create a physical presence that is powerful, dynamic, and solid, yet refi ned and elegant. We wanted a design that will still look fresh and new a decade from now, a design with classic proportions and understated details. Intelligent use of aluminum extrusions, zinc castings, and heavy gauge steel results in a chassis that is as rugged as it is handsome. Innovative use of specialized coatings and plating results in a product that will retain its good looks for many, many years to come. COMPATIBLE AND UPGRADABLE The M15 interfaces perfectly with the majority of consumer audio and video formats including the latest, HDMI. Additionally, the operating and decoding software can be upgraded if and when new features and formats become available. With rear panel IR remote input and outputs, programmable 12V triggers, and an RS-232 port, the M15 is highly compatible with many of the advanced control systems such as AMX and Crestron. SECOND ZONE DOUBLES YOUR PLEASURE A completely independent second audio and video zone, with its own remote control, is part of the M15 package. This line level output has independent source and volume selection, and is ready to interface with outboard amplifi ers and controllers to send music an pictures to another room in your home. POWER SUPPLY The heart of every electronic component is its power supply. Taking the raw current from the wall socket and creating stable, clean DC voltages is crucial to obtain the maximum performance of every circuit in the M15. Based on a custom wound and shielded toroidal transformer, the M15 employs three secondary voltage taps, one for each of the sections of the preamp; audio, video, and digital. These feed into independent rectifi ers and multi-stage regulators to obtain pure and stable voltages for each individual circuit. By keeping them completely separate, any possible cross contamination is prevented. AUDIO PERFORMANCE FEATURES Tone controls, AV presets, and direct access to sub, center, and surround levels allow unprecedented control of the sound fi eld. Centre channel tone control operates in

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the presence region of the human voice to improve the intelligibility of dialog. This is especially effective for many Dolby processed recordings. AV Presets take a snapshot of any combination of speaker selection, level, and crossover frequency, to be recalled with just a couple of button presses of the remote control. You could, for example, have different setups for music and movies, or even settings for different types of music or different surround modes. Direct access to the subwoofer, center, and surround speaker levels, without calling up menus, allow for on-the-fl y adjustments without interrupting the video program. Premium parts from renowned suppliers like Burr Brown, Wolfson and AKM, are used in classic NAD circuit confi gurations to provide the low distortion and sonic realism NAD is famous for. With full 24 bit 192kHz analog- to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, the M15 can fully exploit the best source material available today and for the foreseeable future. Unusually, the M15 uses multiple two-channel DACs rather than the 8 channel DACs favored by many of todays surround sound processors. We have found that the sonic performance of the two-channel DACs used in a dual differential mode, is well worth the extra cost of this confi guration. Unprocessed analog inputs, whether stereo or via the 7.1 input, remain in the analog mode, sometimes known as bypass mode. If a digital processing mode is selected, these signals are digitized using a 128x over-sampling Sigma/Delta ADC that employs a linear phase digital anti- aliasing fi lter to prevent any trace of ripple in the audio band. This superb quality ADC operates at 192MHz and full 24 bit resolution. Super high-speed (8 MHz band width) low distortion (0.00008% THD) amplifi ers are use for analog input and output buffers. These FET OPAmps feature high slew rate and are capable of the high output current required by this application. Low noise and superb dynamics are assured. VIDEO PERFORMANCE FEATURES The M15 can easily handle todays high resolution video signals, with support for most analog and digital video formats. Professional quality video buffer amplifi ers feature 150MHz open loop bandwidth with super low phase shift and distortion. HDMI switching is available for two sources. This newly developed high resolution digital audio and video format allows encrypted transmission of high resolution (HDTV) signal formats without passing through analog conversion. The M15 is also capable of transcoding, or upconverting Composite and S-Video signals to Component Video output. Through the use of the highest quality components and digital comb fi lters, the video quality of Composite and S-Video is fully preserved. The on-screen-display (OSD) is simple and effective, and is completely bypassed when not in use to preserve video resolution. It is also available on component and Zone 2 outputs. There is also a bypass Component Video Output that even excludes the OSD switch to provide a reference quality signal. DIGITAL PERFORMANCE, PERFECTED The M15 is a clean sheet design, evolved over several years of intense development. Based around two high-speed 24 bit DSPs, the M15s exemplary DSP topology gives better noise and distortion performance than 32 bit fl oating point designs. New thinking about D/A and A/D conversion processes led to a circuit design that offers a level of technical precision and sonic performance unprecedented at this price level. DYNAMIC HEADROOM SCALING Among the many innovative techniques the M15 uses to squeeze the last ounce of nuance from every music and movie audio format, Dynamic Headroom Scaling is at the top of the list. This unique approach maximizes digital resolution. What is digital resolution? Think of a picture that has really fantastic detail in the dark shadows, with every subtle texture clearly visible; this describes a high resolution picture. It is like the difference between High Defi nition TV and Standard Defi nition TV -� the HD picture is far more realistic. Digital audio can also have high or low resolution, depending on the quality of parts in the analog-digital-analog conversion process. With the demands for surround sound processing and post processing, things get more complicated. The spare headroom required to accommodate these complex processes means that the 24 bit signal path may only be working at 12 -� 14 bit resolution. This limit is then imposed on all signals, whether the maximum processing power is required, or is not required, the headroom margin is fi xed. While this might be perfectly acceptable performance in a mid-level AV receiver, it is clearly lacking the detail and dynamics required for a realistic Home Theatre experience. This could also limit high resolution audio formats like DVD- A and SACD to merely CD level performance. The M15 addresses this problem by dynamically adjusting, or scaling the amount of headroom, based on the exact needs of the digital processes running at any given moment. This unique approach maximizes the audio resolution for every type of signal and fully utilizes the premium high performance parts we have included in the M15.