We have tested the NAD T787 AV receiver!

 

We have tested the NAD T787 AV receiver!

The NAD brand became known in the 1970s. It was purchased by a Canadian company in 1999, nevertheless NAD keeps striving to retain its traditions and unique style.

Features

The exterior design of the 7-channel amplifier is characterised by simplicity and aesthetics, with a large volume control dial on the front panel. There is no hinged lid that would hide even more control buttons hidden behind. The large display is very easy to read, the menu system is clear and transparent. The buttons are quite sensitive, the device itself is quite large and heavy with its 25.2 pounds weight. The power of the amplifier is 200 Watts per channel, and 8 Ohm. Thanks to its modular design, it can be further expanded with HD Audio, High End Audio, Video, 3D, HDMI expansion and High End video modules.

The connectors are gold-plated, the signal-to-noise ratio is 93 decibels, and the frequency transmission is between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. It is equipped with an AM / FM radio receiver, seven HDMI inputs, three component video and four S video inputs, as well as 3-3 optical and coaxial digital inputs. It also has a headphone jack and seven channels and two subwoofer outputs among the amplifier’s functions. Hiding behind a protruding panel, we find another A / V input. It has 3D, 1080p / 24 support, as well as Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD decoders, and the AV receiver also has a multiroom function. The automatic speaker setting and the measuring microphone are also among the functions of the amplifier. It works with a large toroidal transformer.

Audyssey program

The device has XM, iPod ports, and of course the Audyssey MultiEQ XT calibration system. A measuring microphone included in the package shall help do the settings. Thanks to EARS surround mode, it can convert stereo sources to multi-channel, and in direct mode it can transmit non-digital, analog signals such as those from turntables, or phono preamplifiers. It is extremely easy to set up and did not cause any difficulty.

Two remote controls are included with the T787. One is used to control the second zone, the other large, standard remote control has a backlight that, as we take it in hand, illuminates virtually instantly. You can also control how long it lights up. It works with four AA batteries – the batteries are little loose in the battery compartment and wobble a little. Otherwise, the remote control fits very well in the hand and has logically arranged buttons. The setting options for the room calibration software were quite accurate. This was also a pleasant surprise because, otherwise, room correction programs alone cannot make perfect settings, as they primarily measure sound pressure, they cannot adequately compensate for room acoustic errors. This is also why if you want to get an ideal movie or music experience, be sure to pay attention to the acoustic improvement of the rooms as well.

Test

We tested the amplifier in an average living room located in an apartment of an old condominium. The walls were made of brick, the furnishings were classically elegant. We gave the owner some tips on how to improve the acoustics, as the measurement resulted in reflections and standing waves that significantly degraded the sound. We told him that it would definitely be worthwhile to place sound-absorbing and diffuser panels on the walls. We started testing with a pair of Dali Oberon 7 standing speakers and a Velodyne SPL 1200 Ultra subwoofer.

The test started with the American adventure movie The Mummy- The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor released in 2008. We experienced tight, precise sounds, proper dynamics and intense basses. The amplifier provided solid bass notes and a natural, lifelike sound. We then watched the romantic musical Coyote Ugly. We were also curious to know how the soundtracks sounded, and were not disappointed. We enjoyed accentuated mid-ranges, percussive basses and balanced clear sound.

For the benefit of audio fans, we also tested the amplifier for music. We listened to the song Natural by Imagine Dragons. The device delivered a very nice, balanced stereo picture, basses were also absolutely in place and sounded quite intense, tight and accurate. However, we also discovered flaws in the sound. The treble was often too vivid and we lacked detail and subtlety.

Our opinion

The NAD 787 AV receiver has a very pleasant, exterior design, a simple and clean look. We could experience tight sounds, intense basses and accentuated mid-ranges. Thanks to the resonance-free housing, we were able to enjoy truly distortion-free, clean results. The stereo sound was also excellent, and we could assess harmonious, balanced sounds. We have found that the higher the sound pressure level (SPL), the better the amplifier sound was. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of detail and subtlety, and it wouldn’t be bad refining the confusing, sometimes excessive vividness of high tones. What was even more disturbing is the lack of features. From an amplifier in this price range much more features would be expected.

When choosing amplifiers, keep in mind what you want to use it for, listening to stereo music or watching movies. There are models that are an excellent choice for both, the T787 is one such model.

G.H.

Written by Róbert Polgár