MSRP: £2,499.00
What is the NAD T777v3?
The NAD T777v3 is the latest single chassis AV Receiver from NAD and - as the name suggests - is the latest revision to a design that has been with us for a while. This revision gives the NAD the sort of functionality that we’ve come to expect from an AV Receiver in 2018 including object based surround, full 4K passthrough and automatic setup. So far, so normal. Steve Withers who is rather more industrious than me in terms of AV Receiver reviews has been looking at such devices for a while now.
The NAD is a little different to many of those rivals however. The HDMI specification comes with the promise of a degree of futureproofing that is fairly unusual in these technologically turbulent times. The auto calibration software is the Dirac suite rather than the more usual suspects. It also supports streaming hardware and software that is regarded as some of the best in the industry. There’s plenty in the T777v3’s specification that suggests it is something a little different to the norm.
There is something not in the specs that is worthy of note too. NAD knows their way around amplifiers. The T777v3 is like many of their products in that it doesn’t boast an enormous power output but this comes backed up with the idea that there should be enough power to get the job done in a fuss free and entirely pleasurable way. Has the NAD sense of sufficiency survived the move to high res, ultra high def and Atmos?
The NAD is a little different to many of those rivals however. The HDMI specification comes with the promise of a degree of futureproofing that is fairly unusual in these technologically turbulent times. The auto calibration software is the Dirac suite rather than the more usual suspects. It also supports streaming hardware and software that is regarded as some of the best in the industry. There’s plenty in the T777v3’s specification that suggests it is something a little different to the norm.
There is something not in the specs that is worthy of note too. NAD knows their way around amplifiers. The T777v3 is like many of their products in that it doesn’t boast an enormous power output but this comes backed up with the idea that there should be enough power to get the job done in a fuss free and entirely pleasurable way. Has the NAD sense of sufficiency survived the move to high res, ultra high def and Atmos?
Specifications
How was the T777v3 tested?
The NAD was connected to an IsoTek Evo3 Corus mains conditioner and was tested with five Elipson Planet M satellites and a BK Electronics P300SB subwoofer. Some stereo testing was undertaken with Dynaudio Special Forty speakers. Source equipment included a Cambridge Audio 752BD, a Sony Playstation 4 and a Sky HD box. The screen in this instance was a Panasonic GT60 Plasma TV. The BluOS module was tested with a Western Digital MyBook NAS and the app installed on an iPad Air and Motorola G4 Android phone. Material used included Blu Ray, on demand and broadcast TV, Playstation games and lossless and high res FLAC and AIFF files for the BluOS.
Sound Quality
Conclusion
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality in stereo and multichannel
- Usefully comprehensive spec
- Well made
Cons
- Currently awaiting some key features
- Can feel a little tight on headroom
- No volume overlay
NAD T777v3 AV Receiver Review
The range of choices available to you in the high end AV receiver market is considerable right now and with the requirements being asked of them almost reaching a point of stability, this is a better time than has been the case recently to actually purchase one. Viewed dispassionately, the specification of the NAD isn’t quite there yet. There’s no Dolby Vision or HDR10+ support and DTS X is absent too. They are promised but until they exist on the unit, it has to be seen as being at a slight disadvantage. To go 7.1.4 will also need additional amplification at further cost.
The thing is though that one step away from the bleeding edge of technology, the NAD is one of the most satisfying AV devices to live with, listen to and use that I have experienced in quite a while. It sounds fantastic in both multichannel and stereo, it should demonstrate this ability in a wide selection of settings thanks to Dirac and it has a truly excellent streaming interface. This is a fabulous all rounder that delivers a continuously satisfying performance and for this reason, it comes highly recommended.
The thing is though that one step away from the bleeding edge of technology, the NAD is one of the most satisfying AV devices to live with, listen to and use that I have experienced in quite a while. It sounds fantastic in both multichannel and stereo, it should demonstrate this ability in a wide selection of settings thanks to Dirac and it has a truly excellent streaming interface. This is a fabulous all rounder that delivers a continuously satisfying performance and for this reason, it comes highly recommended.
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