NAD Electronics T 747 and T 737 AV Receivers Preview

NAD Electronics introduced two new AV receivers: the T 747 ($1,299) and T 737 ($799). The T 747 AV receiver features 60 watts (x7) channels and uses high-current discrete output devices. The T 747 also includes the newest lossless audio CODECs from Dolby and DTS, including TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, and even discs lacking a TrueHD will benefit from the higher bit rates and discrete 7.1 channels supported by Dolby Digital Plus. An auto calibration function using a special microphone and test tones to make speaker set-up easy and highly accurate.

High quality AM and FM tuners offer 50 station presets, as well as XM (120V) or DAB (230V) ready sockets for clear access to these digital broadcasts using NAD's XM or DB 1 adaptors. The T 747 also supports NAD's optional IPD 1 and IPD 2 Docks for iPods, allowing audio, video and images stored on an iPod to be played directly on an NAD Home Theater.

On the video side, the T 747 fully support signals up to 1080p resolution from HD set-top boxes and Blu-ray players, and includes 4 HDMI inputs with a repeater function that automatically passes along the HDMI video signal after stripping the audio portion. It's capable of 'upscaling' older analog video formats to digital HDMI output, and standard definition signals to HD using Faroudja DCDi technology.

The T 747 offers a second independent A/V zone along with RS-232C to integrate the receiver with advanced (AMX, Crestron, Control4, etc) control systems. Two remote controls are included, one for the primary listening zone and one for the remote zone. The main remote also controls other NAD components, simplifying system operation.

The T 737 AV Receiver uses a system of 'virtual inputs' that allows each user to perfectly customize the setup. Users select an input, rename it, associate it with any video and audio source, analog or digital, and carry on until there's an input for each source in the system. Unused inputs can be hidden from the interface until needed. Additional customization can be added for different speaker setups, levels, tone controls and surround modes. Both receivers use less than one watt for standby power consumption.

The T 737 delivers 40 watts to each of its seven channels. Its three surround modes automatically cater to multichannel-encoded DVDs using Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES, encoded two-channel recordings with Dolby ProLogic IIx and DTS Neo:6, and NAD's own EARS and Stereo Enhanced modes, which are perfect for creating convincing surround sound from unencoded sources like CDs.

All seven channels offer the same high performance using high current discrete output devices. An Auto Calibration function using a special microphone and test tone makes speaker setup easy and highly accurate.

In addition to high quality AM and FM tuners offering 50 station presets, the T 737 offers XM (120V) or DAB (230V) Ready sockets for clear access to these digital broadcasts, The T 737 also supports NAD's optional IPD 1 and IPD 2 Docks for iPods, allowing audio, video and images stored on an iPod to be played directly from the NAD video outputs.

Video quality is good an the receiver includes the requisite composite, S-video, and component video. HDMI signals are simply switched without any extraneous processing or loss of quality (audio is not pulled from the HDMI source).

The T 747 and T 737 AV Receivers will be available in January and February 2009 respectively from authorized NAD dealers at suggested prices of $1,299 and $799.

For more information please visit www.nadelectronics.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.