NAD Announces the M15HD Surround Sound Preamplifier
NAD Electronics has just announced a new Master Series preamp that it will be launching at CEDIA next month. The high definition NAD M15HD embraces a ‘music first’ design philosophy that, according to NAD, aims to draw listeners in with its realism. The preamp uses a pair of 32-bit Texas Instruments 7.1-channel DSPs for audio processing, and can decode nearly any audio signal, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Its VXP image processor supports any resolution up to 2048 x 2048. It can also convert to and from any refresh rate in both NTSC and PAL standards.
NAD M15HD
It includes 4 HDMI 1.3 repeater circuits, a secondary zone for both audio and video, and 1 input and 3 outputs each for 12-volt triggers and IR controls. It’s also the first device to feature NAD’s Modular Design Construction, which the company says will let users add new features to the preamp easily thanks to its compartmentalized circuitry.
The NAD M15HD also offers a great deal of configuration options. Lip Sync Compensation up to 100ms ensures proper viewing, and individual crossover frequencies for front, center and rear channel speakers enable sound to be dialed in precisely. NAD will be selling the preamplifier in September ‘09 with an MSRP of $4500.
Advanced image enhancement algorithms along with Sigma Designs’ broadcast quality image processor comprise what NAD calls “the most advanced single-chip processor available.” Supporting all formats up to 2048 x 2048 pixels, the processor includes features such as film mode detection, a programmable scaling engine, frame conversion to and from any refresh rate and motion adaptive de-interlacing.