DECEMBER 2017
2017
NAD ELECTRONICS
Cl Best in EIV AV REC
ER - U
ass
NDER
$2500
REVIEW / NAD ELECTRONICS / T758 V3 AV SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER
NAD ELECTRONICS
AV SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER Distributor: Convoy International $2,399 RRP
Home theatre technology has undergone
I can think of at least one manufacturer of
most significant of which is the addition of
a massive transformation since I got my
higher-end AVR’s that has already buckled
Dirac Live room correction.
feet wet, back in 2001. Not only has the
under the weight of our competitive
technology transformed, but so has the way in
marketplace. While they’re still in business,
which we purchase it.
the AVR’s they now build pale in comparison
The internet has created a market that’s
to what they used to be.
The T-758 V3 is a 7.1 channel AVR, each of its seven channels of amplification rated at 60 watts. While this may sound a little on the weak side, rest assured, 60 real watts sounds
more price and feature driven than ever
Fortunately, there are still companies out
a whole lot better than 100+ watts when it’s
before. Where I would never have dreamed
there who put sound quality first. Their names
rated with only one or two channels driven
of purchasing speakers or an AV Receiver
don’t pop up as much they used too, but
and high amounts of distortion.
without auditioning them, many consumers
rest assured, they’re still there, working away
are now quite content to do so.
quietly.
I’m just as guilty as the next person of wanting
NAD Electronics is one such company who
two rear back speakers. If your home theatre
to get a great deal, but it does leave you
puts sound quality first. Don’t be fooled into
is Dolby Atmos equipped, the T-758 V3 will
wondering; how much further can we tighten
thinking they haven’t embraced the latest
accommodate a 5.1.2 configuration. Or, add
the thumbscrews, before quality takes a back
technology. On the contrary, their most recent
an external power amplifier, and you’re good
seat to price and features?
range of AV Receivers offers many of the
to go up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4. If you prefer a
same features as the competition. It’s just that
5.1 arrangement, the T758 V3’s extra two
they’ve taken a slightly different approach to
channels can be used to power a second
our value-driven marketplace.
zone of audio.
A quick google search on the T758 featured
With the MDC V3 upgrade equipped at the
in this review reveals it was first released in
factory, the T758 V3 will decode Dolby®
2011. At least three years before 4K and
Atmos, Dolby® True HD, Dolby® Digital Plus,
immersive sound were on the scene.
Dolby® Digital EX, Dolby® Pro Logic IIz, Dolby®
Here we are in 2017 with the T758 V3 featuring 4K capability and equipped with
The T758 V3 will power two front speakers, one centre speaker, two rear speakers and
Virtual, DTS-HD™ Master Audio, DTS-ES™, DTS™ 96/24 decoding and DTS Neo:6.
Dolby Atmos. Rest assured that NAD doesn’t
Keen observers will note the T758 V3 doesn’t
have Nostradamus like abilities, nor have
decode DTS:X™. After seeking clarification
they signed a pack with an infernal entity.
from NAD’s Australian distributor, Convoy, I’m
Rather, this is NAD’s MDC (Modular Design
told that DTS:X ™ will be added in a future
Construction) at work.
update.
MDC, also in its third generation, allows the
The included BluOS upgrade kit adds
T758’s digital audio and video circuits to be
wireless multi-room streaming to the T758 V3,
physically replaced when formats become
compatible with the Bluesound wireless audio
available. The possibilities are both interesting
platform and the range of products within
and potentially endless with NAD’s T758 -
the range.
more correctly referred to as the T758 V3 given it’s now in its third generation.
All the usual suspects, such as such as Tidal, Spotify, Deezer and Internet Radio are present
As well as updating its sound codecs
and accounted for. Hi-Res audio playback
and video capabilities, the T758 V3 has
is also supported, including 24-bit/192kHz
undergone some other changes. Perhaps the
FLAC / WAV.
What’s in the Box? When it comes to appearance, the T758 V3 is
for the BluOS kit, two optical, two coaxial and
another (two rows of seven posts). I’m not a
distinctively NAD. Its appearance reminds me
pre-outs for height/rear speakers.
big fan of this type of arrangement as there’s
a little of the Anthem MRX-1120 we reviewed in February 2017. The T758 is however, more
For those who want to connect a Blu-ray or
not as much room to connect speaker wires.
SACD player via an analogue connection,
The T758 V3 is housed in a dark gray
there’s a 7.1 channel input. There’s also a
aluminium chassis with its clean and
seven-channel pre-out (nine including those
uncluttered appearance belying it’s $2,399
Front and centre is a large LED display, with
found on the MDC module) for connecting an
RRP asking price.
source selection buttons and the volume
external power amplifier.
minimalistic, with buttons and dials kept to a minimum.
control dial to its right. On the left is a circular group of inverted buttons. Apart from the power, menu and listening-mode buttons, that’s it. Like the controls, front panel inputs include just a single headphone jack. The flap on the bottom right of the T758 V3 opens to reveal a single analogue, Toslink and mic input. The MDC unit, located at the back of the T758 has three 4K Ultra HD HDMI inputs (4K/60p / 4:4:4 / HDCP 2.2) and one 4K Ultra ARC HDMI output. There’s also a USB input
Supplied with the T758 is the BluOS upgrade
Finishing up the T758 V3’s inputs are four
kit (MDC), calibration mic, main remote and a
analogue audio inputs, zone 2 inputs, 2 IR
separate remote control for Zone 2.
outs, 1 IR in, a 12v trigger and RS232 input.
The remote fits comfortably in the hand with
A curious omission is the absence of an
its buttons well placed and easy to find.
ethernet port. Granted the T758 V3 is a
Finished in high gloss black with aluminium
wireless AVR, however many find themselves
highlights, the remote compliments the T758’s
with less than capable WiFi reception in their
classy looks.
homes.
Like its appearance, the T758 V3’s build
Rather than placing the T758 V3’s 14 speaker
quality is superb, being at a point I usually
posts next to one another in a side-by-side
associate with more expensive AVR’s.
format, NAD has placed them on top of one
“Like its appearance, the T758 V3’s build quality is superb”
Setup I set the review sample up in a 5.2.2
of room correction software typically found
configuration, with the signal from the T758
in AVR’s that cost more than the T758 V3’s
V3’s single subwoofer split to my two subs
$2,399 asking price.
with a Y-adapter. All the inputs on the back of the T758 are clearly labelled, so connecting speakers and source devices are relatively simple. There’s nary an automated setup menu to be found on the T758 V3, so it’s a matter of systematically working through the menus. Fortunately, the setup menus are well laid out and easy enough to work through. In addition to adding other features, an internet update adds Dirac Live Room correction to the T758 V3’s abilities. If you’re not familiar with Dirac Live, it’s a premium form
Rather than conducting the calibration from the AVR’s setup menu, it’s completed via a PC (apple and android apps are in the works). If you have opted to set up the T758 V3 yourself, I highly recommend you seek out the Dirac Live Best Practices Article and the Dirac Live Instructional Video. It’s also worth noting that the free version of Dirac Live on the T758 V3 only works between 500Hz- 20kHz. The paid version of Dirac Live is needed to correct frequencies from 20Hz- 20kHz. I highly recommend the paid version for $99 US.
Performance With our usual go-to, The Wolverine Blu-ray
With the credits rolling and heart rates
locked and loaded; it was time to see what
returning to a more regular rhythm, it was
the NAD T758 V3 was capable of.
time to see how the T758 V3 fared with some
The first thing that struck me was the T758’s sound. It has a natural and refined sound that
older soundtracks. Since its release in 1987, Predator has been a favourite.
reminded me more of the more expensive AV
Although Predator’s DTS-HD soundtrack can
Receivers that have passed through my home
sound a little thin, it’s a great soundtrack
theatre room. The T758 V3 is right up there
given the film’s 30-year age. Again, the T758
with the best of them. What’s more, the T758
turned in a very detailed performance with
V3 has a knack for drawing out fine detail and
an excellent sense of detail and placement
bringing it to the fore.
within the sound-field. So natural was the
Whether it was the sounds of footfalls as mourners entered the temple at Yoshida’s
sound, that I often found myself looking over my shoulder.
funeral, or the wind coming through the trees,
While the T758 V3 couldn’t match the sense
the effects had a sense of realism.
of immersion of Denon’s AVR-X4300H, it did
Being a sucker for a good scary movie, I cued Anabelle: Creation. If you haven’t had the chance to watch it yet, it’s a great movie, with some genuine edge of the seat moments.
produce a decent soundstage. Missed was that little extra the height speakers provide with DTS-HD soundtracks, but I didn’t feel there were any gaps in the soundstage.
With Anabelle: Creation’s Dolby Atmos
The T758 V3’s amplifiers are obviously more
soundtrack, the NAD T758 V3 produced a
than capable of providing a dynamic home
clean sound that was loaded with detail.
theatre experience that punches well above its
Just like the Anabelle doll itself, the T758 V3 has a knack of creeping up on you. The clean sound it produced had me nudging the volume a little more than usual - something I
weight. Whether it was during The Wolverine or when I was splashing some of Adelaide Hill’s finest IPA on the couch during Anabelle Creation, the T758 V3 had plenty of wallop.
also found myself doing with Anthem’s MRX-
The bass performance may have lacked a
1120 when it was in for review.
touch of finesse; this is nothing that the paid
The difference this time is that once the
version of Dirac Live wouldn’t improve though.
dynamics kick-in, and trust me, they can kick, I found myself jumping out of my chair!
“the T758 turned in a very detailed performance with an excellent sense of detail and placement within the sound-field”
2017
Conclusion
Best in AV RE
Class
R-U CEIVE
NDER
$2500
Let’s not beat around the bush; the T758
In theory, sound quality this good should cost a lot
V3 lacks a few of the bells and whistles of
more than the $2,399 RRP asking price. Simply
Dirac Live Best Practices:
its competitors. When it comes to setup,
put, the T758 V3 is the best AV Receiver I have
https://support.nadelectronics.com/hc/en-us/
it’s also not as ‘user-friendly’ as some of the
heard at the price-point. I’d go as far as to say
competition.
that it gives some of the more expensive AVRs a
articles/115013500548-Dirac-Best-PracticesDirac Instructional Video: https://nadelectronics.com/dirac-live/ Upgrade to Full Version of Dirac Live: https://support.nadelectronics.com/hc/en-us/ articles/115014011468-Upgrading-to-FullVersion-of-Dirac-Live-Room-Correction-for-NAD-
However, this is all going to be quickly
good run for their money.
forgotten once you fire up the T758 for the
At the end of the day, when you’re sitting down
first time. Everything from the build to the
watching a movie, the sound quality is what it’s
sound quality exudes a level of class that
all about. And that, good people, is why the NAD
defies its asking price.
T758 wins our StereoNET best in class award.
WORDS: Tony O’Brien