StereoNET: NAD Electronics T 758 V3 AV Receiver

DECEMBER 2017

2017

NAD ELECTRONICS

Cl Best in EIV AV REC

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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