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Full Disclosure Power Ratings
Inflated power specifications have been used to sell receivers as
long as there have been receivers to sell. But not at NAD. Instead,
we encourage our customers take a clear-eyed look at the real
issues.
Receivers dont make music and filmsound by driving laboratory
test-loads, they do it by driving loudspeakers. And loudspeakers,
whether labeled 8Ω or 4Ω in nominal impedance, are far more
challenging. A speaker that looks like an 8Ω resistor at some
frequencies will show 4Ω at others, and often, 3Ω or even 2Ω at
still others. Furthermore, actual loudspeaker loads are far more
complex than simple test resistors. What does all this mean?
Simply, that power on paper is a poor predictor of how loud, how
dynamic, how musical.
Nevertheless, in a competitive market comparisons will be made.
But when you make them, read the fine print-all of it. At NAD
we test under the most demanding, worst-case conditions,
reporting the minimum power output we achieve at any frequency
within human audibility (full audible bandwidth of 20Hz-20kHz),
and with all channels driven and fully stressed simultaneously at
clearly specified, vanishingly low distortion. Many competitors do
not: they often quote single-frequency power (1 kHz) reflecting at
most one associated channel (maximum 2 channels) dominating
the receivers power supply-often under a variety of deceptive
power headings. And if distortion is stated at all its usually at quite
high levels: 0.5 percent, 1 percent-in one case, 10 percent! - its
easy to print big numbers that simply do not tell the true story. The
bottom line: dont be fooled by specs; let your ears be the judge.
PowerDrive-„¢
This keystone of the NAD receivers amp-section design underpins
the unique dynamic potential of every model. PowerDrives
foundation is a dual-rail power supply that delivers enhanced
internal voltage levels whenever unusual demands approach:
dynamic peaks, big musical transients, deep-bass excursions
that drive a loudspeaker into its most power-hungry impedance
range. Its a little like the kickdown of a sophisticated automatic
transmission-one that happens in 1/50,000th of a second.
PowerDrive is one big reason why NAD AV receivers do not exhibit
the dynamic compression, flattened imaging, and even tinges of
harshness audiophiles so often decry as receiver sound. And
PowerDrive not only makes NAD receivers sound better, it makes
them cooler running, more efficient, and more reliable as well.
Performance
Todays advanced Surround Sound receivers require quality in
the digital decoding stages, the video processing section, and
in the power amplifier design for the best overall performance.
The T785 is an excellent example of the NAD Design Teams
expertise in all three areas. Not only that, but we have made many
ergonomic refinements to simplify operation and make it more
enjoyable to get all the performance this magnificent receiver is
capable of delivering.
Using the latest 32 bit Dual Core Floating Point DSP technology,
NAD was able to include the most popular surround formats from Dolby and DTS, as well as including NADs own highly regarded
music
surround mode; EARS. Unlike, the typical artificially
enhanced DSP modes like Club, Stadium, and Church, EARS
uses DSP technology to extract the natural ambience of the
recording. This is redirected to the surround channels to create
natural surround sound from any 2 channel source. This induces
a warm natural reverberant effect without the BOING of artificial
reverb. The surround mode of the source material is automatically
detected via the digital inputs of the T785, and the highest or
most advanced form of decoding is switched on. Conversion of
the encoded digital bitstream is performed with high resolution
and extremely linear Burr-Brown 24 bit/192kHz D/A Converters
carefully selected for their performance capabilities. The T785
uses five two-channel DACs rather than the usual single 8 channel
DAC favoured by many of todays surround sound receivers. 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
configuration.
NADs reputation for producing power amplifiers that are both
potent and musical is upheld in fine manner with the T785.
Boasting a minimum of 120 watts continuous power per channel,
the T785 can fill even very large rooms to lifelike sound levels.
Credit for the sound of NADs components rests squarely with our
unique design approach and our experienced and very talented
design team. Most companies design their products to a technical
specification and a price point. While this sounds logical enough,
it does not address the way the product will actually be used by
the eventual owner. You dont listen to specifications, you listen to
music and sound. While NAD products exhibit excellent technical
measurements, we have relied on our own ears and listening
experience to determine the final design of our products. Because
of our unique design approach, NADs sound is simply more real,
adding enjoyment and excitement to your favourite films and
music recordings.
Flexibility
The T785 has all the flexibility required to serve as the command
center for even the most sophisticated Home Theatre and multi-
room systems. A full suite of video switching caters to all the
popular video formats (HDMI, Component Video, S-Video, and
Composite Video). The T785 uses the very latest V1.3 HDMI chips
from Analogue Devices. All input resolutions (480, 576, 720, and
1080) are supported at the output. All analogue formats are
cross converted between Composite, S-Video and Component.
These analogue inputs are also up-converted to HDMI output.
Digital inputs (including a handy front panel input) and outputs are
available in both coaxial and optical formats to make it easy to
attach all your digital sources for playback and recording. Digital
Inputs are converted to analogue for multi-zone applications.
With the T785, NAD has made it easy to add more speakers for
listening to music in additional rooms or zones. A second pair of
speakers can simply be added to the front channel amplifiers and
switched on or off from the remote control or front panel switch.
More elaborate systems can also be created using the Zone 2,
3 and 4 outputs to add additional amplifiers and speakers with
the added benefit of independent source selection and volume
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control. In addition to the main zone and second AV zone, we
have added the flexibility to change the Tape Outputs to be third
and fourth Audio Zones with independent source and volume
capability. There is complete flexibility in setting up these outputs.
Additionally, the Back Surround Amplifiers can be assigned to any
of these zones, allowing for a simultaneous 5.1 Home Theatre
and a powered second zone. A separate second zone remote is
included.
There are also 12 volt triggers to automatically switch remote
zone amplifiers on and off, and even an RS-232 data port for
connection to highly advanced automated control systems.
Thoughtful features like discrete On and Off codes, direct access
to inputs and FM station presets facilitate the integration of the
T785 into elaborate remote control systems.
An analogue 7.1 input is also provided for attaching a DVD-Audio
player or any other yet to be developed surround decoder, making
sure the T785 does not become obsolete anytime soon. Preamp
outputs allow the addition of more powerful amplifier channels.
The T785 includes a data jack specifically designed to control
an iPod with the addition of NADs optional iPod Dock accessory.
This allows the iPods meta-data to be displayed on the OSD and
be controlled using the NAD remote control. Audio and Video
connections and iPod recharging are also featured in the iPod
Dock.
All input circuitry is contained on 5 easily removable plug in cards.
Although this construction technique is more costly to implement,
it offers several important advantages. 1) Speed to market for new
technology. 2) Upgrade for older units 3) Simple field service.
Luxurious Simplicity
All the capability and flexibility in the world is quite useless if
the receiver becomes too complicated to be operated by every
member of the family. NAD has taken special measures to make
operation of the T785 as logical and straightforward as possible.
Initial system setup is best accomplished using your television
monitor and the clear and simple On Screen Display (OSD),
which can be configured to also give status updates as settings
are changed in everyday use. Once the T785 is informed of your
specific system set-up, all settings are stored in a non-volatile
memory making this a one time task. The informative front panel
display indicates complete information about the source being
listened to or watched including selected surround mode and
volume setting. The front panel display can be easily customized
by renaming inputs and even determining what information you
prefer to have displayed and when to display it.
Audyssey Auto Setup and Calibration is available using the supplied
calibrated microphone. Simply place the microphone in the listening
position and select Audyssey auto-calibration and the system
automatically detects which speaker is connected, chooses the
ideal crossover point to the subwoofer, checks speaker phasing,
and adjusts the levels and delays. These adjustments are made
to a level of accuracy that it would be difficult to duplicate by ear
alone. Audyssey
MultEQ XT is the latest in digital sophistication, allowing
for improved frequency response in a large family sized sweet
spot. Using the calibration microphone to hear your room, a
series of test tones measure the speakers response and the
rooms distorting echoes independently, and then calculates an
ideal response that minimizes the effects of the rooms echoes.
While this sounds simple, the digital technology that is required
for this level of performance would have cost many thousands of
dollars just a few short years ago. But the electronic technology
is only half the story, since an advanced knowledge of acoustics is
also required to get good results from such a system. Working
closely with Audyssey, NADs acoustic engineers developed the
final response curves that reflect our own performance values.
The FM tuner includes 30 favourite station presets that can be
custom named, or if the station supports the Radio Data System
(RDS), it will automatically stream information about the station
and music being played. We also include a Digital Broadcast
Ready socket on the rear panel for adding outboard DAB module.
All the control software is included, just plug in an option NAD
DB-1 module and start enjoying the clear sound and expansive
content selection available with Digital Radio Broadcast.
Five independent Audio Video Custom Presets can store unique
listening modes, DSP options, tone, speakers and display settings
for instant recall, making it easy to custom tailor your system for
different types of program material. Encoded surround modes like
Dolby Digital and DTS are automatically selected. The T785 also
remembers your last used settings when switched in and out of
Standby mode.
The included HTRC 1 remote handset is itself an engineering
tour-de-force. Able to control up to 8 different components, an
illuminated LCD screen clearly shows what device is selected and
what command is being sent. It has illuminated buttons for easy
operation in low light environments, and the length of time the
illumination is on can easily be adjusted. Remote commands for
products not already included in the HTRC 1s memory can be
easily taught to the HTRC 1. And the HTRC 1s Macro function
allows up to 64 individual commands to be triggered by the pressing
just two keys. With this feature, all of the commands required
for watching a DVD, for example, are executed automatically
by the HTRC 1s Macro function. There is also a USB port that
allows the HTRC 1 to be connected to a PC, and using our freely
downloadable program from the NAD website, you can program,
customize, memorize and clone the HTRC 1.
Summary
The T785 offers remarkable performance and flexibility in a
compact and simple to operate package. This multi-channel
powerhouse will bring your favourite music and movies to life in
your home entertainment room with an absolute minimum of fuss
and a maximum of pure enjoyment.
T 785 Surround Sound A/V Receiver
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