BD Surround, 2-Channel In NAD Launch

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/8/2009

LAS VEGAS — NAD is bringing new two-channel audio components to International CES along with its first audio products incorporating decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats.

In two-channel components, the company is launching a seven-SKU Classic series, which consists of two CD players at a suggested $499 and $799, two integrated amplifiers at a suggested $499 and $1,299, a $799 receiver, an $899 preamp and a $1,199 power amp. One CD player plays MP3/WMA CDs. The top model features 192kHz sample-rate conversion.

Decoding of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD High Resolution and DTS HD Master Audio will appear in two of four new plug-in upgrade modules for existing NAD components that play back Blu-ray's other surround formats. Decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats will also appear in five new Theater series audio components.

The Theater series products, shipping in February, are the T 785 HD A/V receiver at a suggested $3,999, T 775 HD A/V receiver at $2,999, T 765 HD A/V receiver at $2,499, T 175 HD preamp-tuner-processor at $2,999 and M15 HD A/V surround sound preamplifier at $3,999.

The two planned audio-upgrade modules plug into three existing NAD A/V receivers and a preamp/tuner/processor. The modules, shipping in January, include the $400-suggested MDC AM 100, which incorporates decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats, Audyssey speaker setup, and multiple S/PDIF inputs and outputs. The $600 MDC AM 200 adds the following Audyssey technologies: MultEQ XT and MultEQ Pro room correction, Dynamic Volume, and Dynamic EQ.

Decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats is also included in NAD's first Blu-ray player, a BD Profile 2.0 model already available at a suggested $1,499.

Two video upgrade modules are also planned for January shipment.