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 don't make music and filmsound by driving laboratory test-loads, they do it by driving loudspeakers. And loudspeakers, whether labeled 8? or 4? in "nominal impedance," are far more challenging. A speaker that "looks like" an 8? resistor at some frequencies will show 4? at others, and often, 3? or even 2? 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 printãall 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 receiver's power supplyãoften under a variety of deceptive power headings. And if distortion is stated at all it's usually at quite high levels: 0.5 percent, 1 percentãin one case, 10 percent! ã it's easy to print big numbers that simply do not tell the true story. The bottom line: don't be fooled by specs; let your ears be the judge.
This keystone of the NAD receivers' amp-section design underpins the unique dynamic potential of every model. PowerDrive's foundation is a "dual-rail" power supply that delivers optimized internal voltage levels especially during the most demanding conditions: dynamic peaks, big musical transients, deep-bass excursions that drive a loudspeaker into its most power-hungry impedance range. It's a little like the "kickdown" of a sophisticated automatic transmission - providing distortion-free current on demand.
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.
Today's 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 Team's 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 NAD's 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 favored by many of today's 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.
NAD's 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 NAD's 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 don't 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, NAD's sound is simply more "real", adding enjoyment and excitement to your favourite films and music recordings.
The T785 has all the flexibility required to serve as the command centre for even the most sophisticated Home Theatre and multiroom 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 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 port specifically designed to control an iPodÆ with the addition of NAD's optional IPD 1 Dock for iPod accessory. This allows the iPod's 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 IPD 1 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.
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 room's distorting echoes independently, and then calculates an ideal response that minimizes the effects of the room's 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, NAD's acoustic engineers developed the final response curves that reflect our own performance values.
The tuner includes 40 favourite station presets in any mix of AM or FM stations. FM stations that don't automatically display their name in addition to their broadcast frequency (RDS function), can instead be given a custom name. We also include a "Digital Broadcast Ready" socket on the rear panel for adding an outboard XM or DAB module. All the control software is included, just plug in the 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 1's memory can be easily "taught" to the HTRC 1. And the HTRC 1's 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 1's 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.
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.