NAD AVR Lineup

[Trev]

Not going to lie, ... one of the most massive stressers with hardware upgrades is the market pressure for me not being able to afford bad choices. I'd had an HK AVR 354 repaired a ways back and it's since been great.

Now I have a different line in on a few manufacturers to get different discounts due to a new contact, but still looking at $800+ for $1500+ AVRs. A few hurdles now are this new HDCP, 4K passthrough, DTS X & Atmos (still don't know where my heads at on those), and wanting to purchase something of superior reliability. Reliability is half the battle for me.

I've been hearing that NAD's new lineup is modular in hardware, meaning not only can you upgrade via firmware, but you could literally swap out a fried HDMI component, or bump it up to a new tech down the line without replacing your whole AVR or requiring extensive repairs.

Is anyone familiar with NAD's current lineup? They've never really entered my mind as an AVR contender before. I always thought of NAD in terms of intermediate and affordable quality separates.

 

[slipperybidness]

In the last several years, it seems that NAD's reliability has declined.

It's a shame because I like their gear and I like the under-stated looks.

NAD's modular approach is a grand idea. But, have you actually gone out pricing a NAD module? They are freaking expensive! To me, the pricing completely undermines the modular concept.

 

[Trev]

In the last several years, it seems that NAD's reliability has declined.

It's a shame because I like their gear and I like the under-stated looks.

NAD's modular approach is a grand idea. But, have you actually gone out pricing a NAD module? They are freaking expensive! To me, the pricing completely undermines the modular concept.

Anything in particular lead you to suspect reliability declines? Anyone know if they've been bought out recently? The modular idea is brilliant, but then too I wonder if people would get gouged on parts.

What's most on my mind with NAD is probably what protocol does it fall back on when a signal has no identifiable format? I have so many hobbies and stuff that I haven't had the time to really dig. If I'm not mistaken Harman defaults to Logic 7 to override Dolby 5.1 and misc formats, while it'll decode Pro Logic II, DTS, Linear PCM and most others appropriately. Apparently NAD uses "EARS"?

"Our own highly regarded EARS (Enhanced Ambient Recovery System) surround mode will also provide you with natural room-filling sound from any two-channel source. Unlike other DSP modes, EARS eliminates undesirable artificial effects. Its natural musicality and incredible sound effects, makes the T 777 perfect for any home theatre."

Would like to know more about it if anyone's an owner or have come across good articles.

 

[gene]

NAD's modular approach is a grand idea. But, have you actually gone out pricing a NAD module? They are freaking expensive! To me, the pricing completely undermines the modular concept.

Nobody has every really successfully pulled off the module design concept. Integra Research failed at this years ago and Denon didn't have much better success either. The updates as you mentioned are too costly.

NAD just announced the 4K module but it won't support full 18.2GPS data since the hardware doesn't exist yet. IMO they should have waited another 6 months until the chips are available before offering an incomplete and spendy upgrade path.

 

[RichB]

Emotiva just announced a user-installable HDMI 2.0/HDCP2.2 upgrade for the XMC-1.
It's great to get an upgrade that can be installed at home.

- Rich

 

[Trev]

Good to see another manufacturer is going this route too. Are there any other of these user upgrade-able receivers out there?

Ideally, just looking for a solid, reliable receiver, that doesn't overdo it with options (fewer points of failure pref), under $1000. I'd even be fine just sticking to 5.1 likely, and the modular bit sounds like a good route in the event a component dies out... which seems to be the HDMI card for most receivers.

Are there any real cons to the NAD lineup? Any good deals for the XMC-1? Just had a look and they really seem to put a lot of care and emphasis on the right areas for that model.

 

[Seth=L]

Gene nailed it. Historically modular AVRs and processors are obsolete just as fast as their standard offerings. What's amazing is that NAD has tried this before as well and I don't recall it being met with any amount of success.

 

[markw]

Two observations that you can take or leave.

1) I like NAD for two channel but find them a bit overpriced for their features when it comes to HT.

2) If you're looking for "bleeding edge" for 4k/UHD, I'd suggest waiting a while for the standards to be finalized and the hardware manufacturers get caught up to them. Of course, by then there'll be a new latest/greatest on the horizon.