NAD T758 V3 AVR Receiver Owner's Thread

[Sonnie Parker]

I sold my 5100 and picked up the NAD T758 V3 with Dirac Live Full. I only needed the 3 HDMI inputs and have 9 channels of separate amplification, so power was also not an issue. This worked out well... eliminating the need for the DDRC, which wasn't including my 4 Atmos height speakers, that are now included in the DL processing.

There is a slight learning curve (not too bad, but it's there - at least it was for me) to getting this setup and running, but it sure seems to have paid off. This unit is really a bargain as a processor for what all it does. The only drawback I see is not being able to make any level adjustments after DL is run. I typically like to bump up my center a few db. Subwoofer volume isn't an issues since I have volume controlled amps for those. A center trim would be a nice addition.

Here's my DL results... flatter response is original result of the left speaker only. The response with the bump in the bass is after I turned up the volume on the sub amps a little bit, as I like it a little hotter than what DL leaves it... and it includes left and right speakers. 6th octave smoothing is applied, although it looked good without it.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Nice deal... and great looking curve. I like my subs hot, too.

What’s the measured response look like before DL was applied?

 

[JStewart]

I was hoping you'd start a thread for this AVR. I use outboard Dirac and don't have video switching and pass-thru for current formats in the avr but do have a 4k player and jvc (not quite) 4k/hdr projector, so I've been looking for a replacement avr. This one seemed like a bargain with on board Dirac and Dirac is reported to be correctly implemented with bass management coming before Dirac processing. BluOS for streaming music with MQA unfolding for Tidal "masters" tracks will keep the hdmi connector from reaching my laptop too.

The only drawback I see is not being able to make any level adjustments after DL is run. I typically like to bump up my center a few db. Subwoofer volume isn't an issues since I have volume controlled amps for those. A center trim would be a nice addition.

If I read correctly, a harmony remote will allow access to individual channel adjustments after Dirac but they are temporary in that the levels will revert to original each time the unit is powered off. There is also an iphone only app developed by markus767 on avs that I think will allow the same control. It was developed by him as a substitute for an on screen display which the unit does not have.

Are you using the onboard amps? The unit is spec'd with 60watts all channels driven, so I was curios if you found any limitations with your set up.

A lot of new owner reviews I've read remark on improved sound quality and many said they were coming from higher end models of yamaha, denon and marantz avrs. Since you are coming from a brand flagship pre-pro and are already a Dirac user I'd be interested to know your impression of sound quality so far.

 

[JStewart]

Are you using the onboard amps? The unit is spec'd with 60watts all channels driven, so I was curios if you found any limitations with your set up.

Never mind. I should have read your post more closely.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

What’s the measured response look like before DL was applied?

I should have posted that. The first time around was wasn't paying attention to the mic being chosen when running Dirac Live and it selected my laptop mic (Microphone Array)... and boy was I scratching my head when setting the levels that were all over the place, then when I measured the results it was ugly. I thought for a mud pie minute I had gotten a bad unit. Then when I ran it again I realized the correct mic was not chosen.

I'll post up some before shots as well.

If I read correctly, a harmony remote will allow access to individual channel adjustments after Dirac but they are temporary in that the levels will revert to original each time the unit is powered off. There is also an iphone only app developed by markus767 on avs that I think will allow the same control. It was developed by him as a substitute for an on screen display which the unit does not have.

Are you using the onboard amps? The unit is spec'd with 60watts all channels driven, so I was curios if you found any limitations with your set up.

A lot of new owner reviews I've read remark on improved sound quality and many said they were coming from higher end models of yamaha, denon and marantz avrs. Since you are coming from a brand flagship pre-pro and are already a Dirac user I'd be interested to know your impression of sound quality so far.

I have a Universal MX-890, which I love, and haven't found anything nearly as functional as it is. Of course if the settings are only temporary, that won't do me much good having to set them each time. However... dialog has been very good on what little I've listened to, so maybe between the new Emotiva C2 and the NAD with Dirac, I will be fine. I could also bump up the center a little in the optimization of the curve during the running of DL.

Correct... all outboard amps.

The main difference in what I had previously and now is the change from outboard DL without the 4 height speakers being optimized to onboard DL with the 4 height speakers being optimized. That I can think of... I didn't lose any features that are critical for sure. Yeah... I lost a few HDMI inputs, and an extra HDMI output, but I don't need those. I lost nothing that effects the sound that I would care about... other than possibly that center trim I mentioned earlier. Sound wise... it should sound about the same for music, and it does indeed sound sweet. I did use the bass tone control to bump up the area around 100Hz by 2db (had it at 4db, then moved back to 2db), so the mid-bass is slightly fully sounding, which I prefer. I hope to get to watch an Atmos movie tomorrow night to see if I can tell if having the height speakers processed will improve the overall experience.

I am certainly excited about it, as it is really a bargain, as I mentioned before. Short of some minor firmware upgrade glitches and setup hurdles (need setup for dummies here) I wouldn't have to venture far to say this has to be one of the best AVR processors on the market... and that is only after two days with it. :fingers-crossed: Seriously... I can't think of anything for $1200 that comes close to what this unit can do. I wish NAD would remove the internal amps and sell it for a few hundred less as a native processor.

 

[JStewart]

Sound wise... it should sound about the same for music, and it does indeed sound sweet.

I wouldn't have to venture far to say this has to be one of the best AVR processors on the market...

Thank you. I was hoping your subjective opinion would re-enforce my preconception and induce me to pull the trigger on this unit at which point my confirmation bias will show you are indeed correct.

I hope to get to watch an Atmos movie tomorrow night to see if I can tell if having the height speakers processed will improve the overall experience.

I've read that some owners have had problems with hissing or static/crackling noises coming from the atmos channels which are all on the same MDC board. Further read that NAD has been very good about taking care of customers with this issue. Let us know how it goes!

Yeah... I lost a few HDMI inputs, and an extra HDMI output

Yeah, there are more inputs and outputs on the next model up, the 777v3 and it also has a bit more power but other than that there seems to be no reason to spend $1k more for it than the 758v3. 100% no reason if you already have outboard amps.

I can't think of anything for $1200 that comes close to what this unit can do. I wish NAD would remove the internal amps and sell it for a few hundred less as a native processor.

My thought too. (There's that preconception again!) And yeah, just the pre-pro for a few hundred less would be sweet indeed.

One last thing to know for anyone reading this and interested. The unit has will natively process 11 channels, all with Dirac as Sonnie pointed out, but has 7 channels of amplification. Only the surround back amp channels can be re-assigned and only assigned to 1 pair of the height channels. The means that to use it with 4 height channels you MUST put outboard amps on the other 2 height channels in a 5.1.4 or all 4 height channels in a 7.1.4 configuration.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I should have posted that. The first time around was wasn't paying attention to the mic being chosen when running Dirac Live and it selected my laptop mic (Microphone Array)... and boy was I scratching my head when setting the levels that were all over the place, then when I measured the results it was ugly. I thought for a mud pie minute I had gotten a bad unit. Then when I ran it again I realized the correct mic was not chosen.

Ha! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that's had that happen... definitely has given me a few heart stopping moments!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I plan on watching an Atmos movie tonight. Not even sure what all I have, but any recommendation?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Deepwater Horizon is a pretty killer Atmos demo flick

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Just ordered it in 4K... won't have it tonight, but will get to see it next week sometime.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Tsk... tsk...

How about Gravity Diamond Luxe edition?

IMO, that’s one of the best Atmos releases to date.

 

[JStewart]

How did your atmos experience go?

I finally pulled the trigger myself and it's being delivered this Wednesday. I'll have the weekend to get familiar with it.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yep... watched a couple of Atmos movies and have been impressed more than I have been previously with Atmos, that is for sure. It think now that the ceiling speakers are all matched and frequency balanced as they should be, the effect is more seamless and effective in the submersive experience I was initially expecting with Atmos.

 

[ceh383]

The only drawback I see is not being able to make any level adjustments after DL is run. I typically like to bump up my center a few db. Subwoofer volume isn't an issues since I have volume controlled amps for those. A center trim would be a nice addition.

Could you not edit the DL target curve for the center channel to bump it up a few db's?
It might not be the preferred way, but it should work.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yes indeed, and that's exactly what I did... although it was only a slight adjustment. The center channel dialogue is excellent.

 

[ceh383]

Yes indeed, and that's exactly what I did... although it was only a slight adjustment. The center channel dialogue is excellent.

I really like what Dirac does for the clarity of center channel dialogue, much better than YPAO does.
I'm running a Yamaha with the DDRC-88a. Aside from the ATMOS channels being eq'd by Dirac, would you say there are other benefits to going with the NAD?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I had the Yamaha 5100 with the DDRC. I changed speakers at the same time I changed out to the NAD, so it probably wouldn't be a fair comparison, but no doubt everything sounds better to me... and I only have one connection from the processor to the amps now. I absolutely love the simplicity of the NAD and prefer the navigation over the Yamaha, but that's probably more of a preference thing for me.

 

[ceh383]

I had the Yamaha 5100 with the DDRC. I changed speakers at the same time I changed out to the NAD, so it probably wouldn't be a fair comparison, but no doubt everything sounds better to me... and I only have one connection from the processor to the amps now. I absolutely love the simplicity of the NAD and prefer the navigation over the Yamaha, but that's probably more of a preference thing for me.

Only one connection to the amps? Can you elaborate? It sure would be nice to get rid of some of the cable mess behind my component rack.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

oops... What I meant by that is straight from the NAD to the amps... not from the Yamaha to the DDRC then to the amps. Sorry about that wording.

 

[bkeeler10]

Joining the conversation - I am almost certain that I will get this AVR coming up in a month or two. The other one in contention is the Anthem MRX720. I may get both and compare, but frankly this NAD seems like a no-brainer.

Yep... watched a couple of Atmos movies and have been impressed more than I have been previously with Atmos, that is for sure. It think now that the ceiling speakers are all matched and frequency balanced as they should be, the effect is more seamless and effective in the submersive experience I was initially expecting with Atmos.

I am so glad that this unit does Dirac on all channels. IMO it is a mistake to relegate the Atmos overhead speakers (or any speakers in a multichannel system) to a lower level of importance and think that they don't need calibration as much as the rest of the speakers do. I will insist on being able to calibrate and EQ all channels for my system to achieve that seamless soundstage you're talking about.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I certainly don't think you'll go wrong with it... and I am having a hard time justifying anything else on the market for right now.

 

[JStewart]

T758v3 arrived Wednesday. Got it hooked up, updated, and 1st Dirac calibration done.

First thoughts, in no particular order are:

NAD isn't doing their customer service department any favors with the lack of instruction regarding getting Dirac set up for a calibration and Dirac itself. Prior Dirac experience helped a lot.

Bass seems tighter than Dirac Cals with MiniDSP or Dirac on PC. Could it be correct order of bass management and Dirac? Different XO filters on NAD? Dirac Response slope actually produced not the same? I'll eventually get the chance to do some REW measurements, but am doubtful my limited REW skills will provide any insight to this if its not FR alone. I may just have to learn to live with better without knowing why.

It would be nice if NAD published more specs and information for their products. Of course I understand that knowing what DAC or XO slopes are used would not make it sound any different, but an album cover never made the music sound different either. I still liked them.

I've not found a way to engage the height channels with an incoming DTS signal. Doesn't look to be one. I suppose I could change the player to do the bitstream to pcm decode for DTS tracks then engage the Dolby upmixer. I probably won't though.

No hdmi issues. No problems with 4k 60fps. Can't really tell about handshake speed because my JVC projector is horrible (my only complaint with the JVC).

There is a very noticeable hiss coming from the height channel speakers when connected to the 4 RCA jacks on the MDC board. To hear it I had to have a source playing and the volume all the way down. I didn't measure with a SPL meter but I can easily hear it above the projector fan noise. Called David at Safe and Sound HQ whom I purchased it from for some guidance yesterday at 10am. He said he would reach out NAD to have them contact me for some troubleshooting help. David then called me back at 2pm to say he had consulted with NAD and they prefer to replace the unit so he'll be shipping it as soon as UPS scans the pre-paid shipping label he emailed. Kudos to David, Safe and Sound and NAD for a great customer service experience.

I'm adjusting to no OSD. Funny the things you get used to without noticing.

I'll need to move the front height speakers to an Atmos top front position for best results.

Still need to spend some time with BluOS music streaming. Built in Tidal MQA decoding with Dirac 24/96 Stereo (24/48 for multichannel) was one key feature for this purchase. (Dirac all channels and 18gps hdmi switching for 4K HDR 60fps being the other two.)

This really feels like a "set it up once then just sit back and enjoy your movies and music" product. It does its job well, has close to zero bells and whistles or adjustments that can be made, and Dirac is Dirac. It makes the soundstage, imaging and FR as good as you'll get with room correction.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Congrats on the purchase. I changed the name of the thread to be an "owner's thread", since it seems more appropriate.

I agree on the lack of instructions. Also there were several things that didn't work right until I got the first update, which seemed like a major chore, but it eventually just worked itself out. Once it all got working right, everything has been beautiful thus far.

Did you have BM on your DDRC? I found that part of the DDRC rather complicated to figure out and ended up not using it and letting the DDRC do the defaults, which is what I suppose is happening in the 758. When I tried to use the BM in DDRC, I got goofy results every time that I couldn't ever make sense of, and things weren't right with the bass.

I can't say I'm noticing any difference in the bass between DL in the DDRC and 758. It could be that your response is somehow smoother, or the bass levels may be a little different. About the only way to know I think would be to measure with REW, as the DL processing should be the same between the two units. That is if you still have a measurement from your DDRC setup.

I miss the OSD for volume, although it's definitely not a super big deal, as I can see it on the front of the 758 pretty easily.

 

[JStewart]

Did you have BM on your DDRC? I found that part of the DDRC rather complicated to figure out and ended up not using it and letting the DDRC do the defaults, which is what I suppose is happening in the 758. When I tried to use the BM in DDRC, I got goofy results every time that I couldn't ever make sense of, and things weren't right with the bass.

I was using a receiver with NanoAVR-DL for multi-channel music and PC based Dirac for 2 Channel, so signal path for both is:
Source => Dirac Filters => BM => Speakers

With the T758 it's:
Source => BM => Dirac Filters => Speakers (which is the way it's supposed to be according to dirac)

About the only way to know I think would be to measure with REW,

True and I do have saved mdats and dirac project files that I can compare.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Ahhhh... okay, so I am not really familiar with how the NanoAVR-DL works, but it still could be in how it's all processed perhaps. I'd definitely be interested in seeing the two different measurement graphs.