New NAD 3D Receivers - Worth the wait?

[rongk]

Hello music lovers! I must confess to becoming lazy! Since switching to NAD gear starting in the old 3140 days and remaining with NAD up to my present T753 AV Receiver (with a short stint running Rotel amp and pre-amp/processor), I haven't bothered to look at many other brands of equipment. I’ve never really developed a case of gadget envy. After upgrading late last year to a nice Samsung 58" 3D Plasma and 3D Blu-ray player though, I've begun looking at ways to reduce the complexities of my a/v system. The old NAD T753 does not have HDMI so I must run optical audio connections from the Blu-ray and DirectTV HD DVR to the receiver and an HDMI connection from Blu-ray to the TV. Since my TV does not have composite video input, the receiver has no OSD unless I hook a separate monitor to it. That makes for an interesting session when setting or adjusting various audio/video sources for the receiver. Add to this mix, connections for my Slacker device to my receiver, a separate amp to power zone 2 audio in other rooms coming off of an ABCD speaker switch, and what you have my friends is a complex mixture of wires, connectors, numerous remotes and manual switching required to enjoy various audio/video choices.

So I have been anxiously awaiting the new NAD 3D AV Receivers (T757 and T748) thinking they would provide the answer. The T748 does not offer zone 2, so I am considering the T757 ($1599). I would definitely want to verify that I can use the surround back amps to power zone 2 before I would consider this unit. My last remaining disappointment at present is the lack of an internet connection on either of the new NAD units. For informational purposes my front mains are B&W 602's. Center and rear surrounds are NHT. Sub is powered dual woofer Cambridge audio P500 unit. My zone 2 speakers include NHT in-ceiling and Bose outside on the patio. .

Cut to present day when I’m walking thru a local warehouse club and I spy a Yamaha RXV871 for a ridiculously low price, 1/3 the price of the NAD! I mean this receiver seems to have everything I am looking for. 3D pass-thru with HDMI 1.4, powered zone 2, Yami's own room optimizer (as compared to NAD’s speaker calibration), internet connection, built in Sirius, etc. etc. Wow, I'm thinking I can drop this baby in and my life just got easier!

So I’m wondering if I’m fooling myself. Are my 50 year old ears really going to hear a difference between this Yamaha vs. the NADs I've come to use and love. I'm not trying to shake the plaster off the walls anymore. I just want great sound at modest levels whether listening to internet-based audio content from Sirius/Pandora/Slacker, etc. or when watching HD content from blu-ray, NetFlix or DirectTV. And I'd like to have the convenience of being able to control it easily.

I would be delighted to hear any opinions or feedback from anyone who may have been faced with a similar choice, or who has any first-hand knowledge of either of these receivers. Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[bikdav]

I don't think it's your ears that you should be concerned about. You should be wondering if 3D is going to survive. I read some stories that it is not catching on very fast at all. In other words, are you diving into something that could go by the wayside shortly?

 

[rongk]

I absolutely considered that before purchasing the TV. After looking at my options, I did feel that the 3D plasma 8000 series offered the best picture quality in 2D as well. According to the explanation I received, the 3D processing added perhaps $200 - $300 to the total cost of the TV. That being said, the rest of the components, processors, glass panel, housing, etc. was the best that Samsung uses in any of it's lines. So whether I watch a lot of 3D or not, I'm getting an excellent picture with HD programming. I can say that so far, I'm absolutely thrilled with the quality of the picture on this unit. The built in audio leaves a bit to be desired as the TV's thin design requires that the built in speakers are on the back of the panel. But that's why I want audio redirected to my receiver for all viewing! As it stands now, I can switch the reciever to receive audio from the DVD player, the DVR, Slacker, etc. but not the TV itself.

 

[jcl]

I don't have first hand experience with either of these so I can't help with that but thought I'd make some suggestions.

The Yamaha has preouts, and your NAD T753 main ins (as well as 7.1 analogue ins) so if you keep your old receiver it can be used to help with amplification duties.

I believe that speakers and room have far more impact on sound than a receiver (if it can power the speakers adequately). So in my mind, going with a Yamaha and putting the money saved into upgrading speakers or adding room treatments would give greater improvements than the NAD T757 alone.

If you currently like your speakers, and the Yamaha sounds good with them, 2/3 of $1599 will buy plenty of 3d blu-rays, extra 3d glasses and popcorn to share the experience with friends and family.

 

[3db]

That Yamaha is that cheap because the power supply is smaller then a babies fist!.

Rated power into only 2 channels is "100W (8ohms, 0.09% THD)"
thats well under 30Watts per channel (I would guess in real life situations around 18-25 Watts). Also distortion will be much higher once you drive all your speakers. Since it has no power you'll have to turn it up to 1/2 - 2/3 to get any decent listening levels out of it. Resulting in even more distortion

As in most everything "You get what you pay for"
The NAD has 7 x 60W (0.05% THD, 20-20kHz) "all channels driven simultaneously"

You need to do some reading to get caught up with the jist of all of this.. Soooo, which Yamaha model are you referring too just so we are clear? Oh and did you know that 99.5% of flicks and multichannel audio never requirre all channels driven at once. You really want to spend the money to cover off .5%? .

I have an older Yamaha model and it drives by HT suite of PSB speakers into serious ear bleed levels (+90s) without breaking a sweat.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yamaha RX-A2000 130WPC x 7ch for $1,150:
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A2000-7-1-Channel-Audio-Receiver/dp/B003XDU484/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317233237&sr=1-1

Denon AVR-3311 125WPC x 7ch for $870:
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-3311CI-7-2-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B003LVZYNI/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317233340&sr=1-2

Pioneer Elite SC55 140WPC x 9ch for $1,390:
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Elite-Sc-55-9-1-channel-Receiver/dp/tech-data/B005JJBFJW/ref=de_a_smtd

 

[3db]

the model he quoted. Yamaha RXV871
Like I said buy it and try it out. If he likes the sound then who am I to say anything.

"Ear bleeding" is not a sign of a good amp ;-)

Out of all the mass market brands that throw every bell and whistle into their product with no thought about sound quality I would say that Yamaha's are among the best. (well above the pioneer, HK etc. also I would expect older Yamaha amps to have better power then the newer ones) but the NAD is in another league. Especially when you factor in being able to upgrade the NAD in the future when the Yamaha will end up in the garage or a landfill.

Cudos on the PSB's though nice speakers.

Ear bleeding meaning in the +90s without sounding strained or distorted.

Upgrading the NAD depending on the card would be as expensive as buying a new RX-V871 so its not really a black and white win here for NAD. Its a coin toss.

I happen to like NAD and their selectiveness about which features to put on and which to leave off. I also like their power delivery but I think they are bit over priced.

The new Adventage line of Yamaha is a solid line with their mid to top tier models offering very respectable power delivery.

 

[jcl]

I like NAD; I have an older NAD, maybe a 715, not sure, with 25 or 30 w/ch. When my quad amp started showing signs of old age the NAD filled the void and powered my vr3's very well.

That said, check out the other forums for issues with NAD especially when it comes to HDMI. They have had issues, and continue to do so with the 6, 7, & 8 level receivers. I think there is a specific combination of boards that people say are trouble free. As well those boards aren't cheap. Price does not always equal quality.

Also, as long as you have preouts you can choose any power amplifier you like. An Outlaw or Emotiva amp would easily be the match of the NAD. There are closeout NAD t955s to be had that are inexpensive enough that the yamaha/nad combo would still be less than $1599.

 

[rongk]

There is always the option of waiting for NAD to ship enough units so that the larger (authorized?) internet resellers offer the T757 at a lower price point or I start to see some refurbs offered at lower prices. Then I can add an external digital media box if I need to or wait for a future MDC upgrade which might be internet-ready. Decisions, decisions!

 

[PENG]

the model he quoted. Yamaha RXV871
Like I said buy it and try it out. If he likes the sound then who am I to say anything.

"Ear bleeding" is not a sign of a good amp ;-)

Out of all the mass market brands that throw every bell and whistle into their product with no thought about sound quality I would say that Yamaha's are among the best. (well above the pioneer, HK etc. also I would expect older Yamaha amps to have better power then the newer ones) but the NAD is in another league. Especially when you factor in being able to upgrade the NAD in the future when the Yamaha will end up in the garage or a landfill.

Cudos on the PSB's though nice speakers.

In your previous post you made some valid points but you also exaggerated them to the nth degree.