NAD Electronics is now shipping a trio of home theater products that are promising to stick around as long as you'll have them.
The company just announced the NAD T 187 AV Surround Sound Processor, as well as the T 787 and T 777 AV Receivers. All three feature the company's famous Modular Design Construction (MDC), which is built to last -- no really. MDC is an NAD exclusive feature that allows users to upgrade for future technologies. MDC Upgrade Modules are replaceable circuit modules that update the digital technology of the AV receiver or preamp processor to new standards and features.
That basically means that when the next big thing comes out, you won't need to buy a whole new component.
Besides the MDC, there aren't a ton of bells and whistles here. NAD is the type of company that just focuses on quality. Can you imagine that?
"Most A/V receivers today focus predominantly on the Video and Surround Sound aspects, leaving audio circuitry almost as an afterthought. At NAD, we believe that there are many people for whom sound quality will always come first," says Greg Stidsen, director of technology and product planning. "Rather than over-complicating AV surround sound products by cramming every possible feature and buzz word into the box, NAD carefully evaluates how customers actually use our products and only include the features that are essential for great audio and video performance."
That's not to say that these are bare bones. Each component boasts high-power DSPs, a 24-bit/192kHz Burr Brown DAC, and support for Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS Master Audio. All three also have NAD's own non-logic matrix surround mode, known as EARS (Enhanced Ambience Retrieval System).
Other features include Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction, support for HD and 3D video up to 1080p at frame rates of 24, 50 and 60FPS, and NAD's proprietary PowerDrive circuitry. As far as the connections are concerned, each device has seven HDMI inputs and two outputs, digital coaxial and optical inputs/outputs, IR outputs, 12V triggers, and an RS-232 port. It can also support NAD's optional IPD 2 iPod dock.
As far as some of the nitty-gritty is concerned, the 7x120-watt T 787 has two high-current Toroidal transformers and one power supply that's dedicated to the front left and right channels. The T 777 is a 7 x 80W AV receiver and has the same PowerDrive circuit as the T 787.
NAD says that the T 187, the T 787 and the T 777 are all available right now. The three components are priced at $3000, $4000 and $3000, respectively.
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