Overview: The NAD M15 HD is equipped with the latest high resolution surround sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. For whole home entertainment, the M15 HD features three additional independent zones; Zone 2 has dedicated analog stereo and composite video outputs, Zone 3 and Zone 4 have analog stereo outputs that are switchable between record output and zone output. The M15 HD also features the Sigma VXP Image Processor that provides de-interlacing and scaling up to 1080p, including scaling of HDMI input signals (scaled signal output via HDMI only).

Audio Features
Video Features
iPod Connectivity
Remote Controls

Audio Features

MDC: NAD's answer to future technological developments is Modular Design Construction. MDC places all the input circuitry on removable plug-in cards; your investment is protected because a single card, rather than the entire preamp, can be replaced when a new format is introduced.

Audyssey MultEQ Pro: The M15 HD is compatible with Audyssey MultEQ Pro software, marketed to professional installers. A computer loaded with the software and a performance grade microphone are used to measure your speakers' in-room performance, then digitally correct the effect the room has on the sound. Each speaker is tested from up to 32 listening positions and the MultEQ Pro software calibrates each channel's signal to account for the room's acoustic imperfections (reflections, phase cancelling, etc) and the speaker location and frequency response, optimizing the sound quality throughout the room. Once the speaker calibrations are generated by the computer, the profile is downloaded to the M15 HD. A tool is accessible on Audyssey's web site (audyssey.com) to find an installer in your area.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ: Audyssey Dynamic EQ solves the problem of deteriorating sound quality as volume is decreased by accounting for human perception and room acoustics. Audyssey Dynamic EQ works in tandem with Audyssey MultEQ Pro to provide well-balanced sound for every listener at any volume level. Dynamic EQ also works if the speakers are manually calibrated (by a consumer using an SPL meter rather than a professional installer using the Audyssey MultEQ Pro software).

Audyssey Dynamic Volume: Audyssey Dynamic Volume delivers consistent volume playback levels, anticipating sudden spikes and dips in volume and compensating for them in real time. Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors the volume of program material moment-by-moment, maintaining the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range to preserve impact. Audyssey Dynamic Volume includes Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which compensates for deteriorating sound quality as volume is decreased by taking into account human perception and room acoustics. These two technologies enable the full frequency response of the source at its original level to be reproduced at any listening level. Even at lower volume, Dynamic Volume ensures that the richness and dynamics of the response are maintained. The amount of compression can be set to Light, Medium, or Heavy. Dynamic Volume also works if the speakers are manually calibrated (by a consumer using an SPL meter rather than a professional installer using the Audyssey MultEQ Pro software).

Listening Modes: The T15 HD offers various listening modes to reproduce a variety of surround sound effects, according to the content of the source being played:

• Dolby TrueHD: high definition audio technology using lossless coding technology to faithfully reproduce the sound of the studio masters
• Dolby Digital Plus: an improved Dolby Digital surround format that is compatible with up to 7.1 channels of discrete digital sound, improves sound quality due to extra data bit rate performance
• Dolby Digital EX: 6.1 multi-channel digital surround format
• Dolby Digital: 5.1 multi-channel digital surround format
• DTS-HD Master Audio: lossless audio compatible with up to 96 kHz/24-bit signals up to 7.1 channels
• DTS-ES:
  • DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: 6.1 channel discrete digital audio format adding a surround back channel to the DTS digital surround sound
  • DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: 6.1 channel digital audio format inserting a surround back channel to the DTS surround sound through matrix encoding
• DTS: 5.1 multi-channel digital surround sound format used for both commercial/theatrical and consumer grade applications
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx: expands existing stereo or 5.1-channel audio to 6.1- or 7.1- channel playback; has two available modes:
  • Movie: for Dolby encoded or stereo movie soundtracks
  • Music: creates an enveloping ambience from stereo sources; also includes three controls for fine tuning:
    • Panorama: wraps the sound of the front left and right speakers around you, for an exciting perspective
    • Dimension: adjusts the sound-field either towards the front or towards the rear of your system
    • Center Width: allows you to gradually spread the center channel sound into the front left and right speakers
• Dolby Pro Logic II: expands stereo audio to 5.1-channel playback; has two available modes:
  • Movie: for Dolby encoded or stereo movie soundtracks
  • Music: creates an enveloping ambience from stereo sources; also includes three controls for fine tuning:
    • Panorama: wraps the sound of the front left and right speakers around you, for an exciting perspective
    • Dimension: adjusts the sound-field either towards the front or towards the rear of your system
    • Center Width: allows you to gradually spread the center channel sound into the front left and right speakers
• Dolby Pro Logic: expands stereo audio to surround sound playback with monaural rear channels
• DTS Neo:6 Surround: matrix decoding technology for achieving 6.1-channel surround playback from a 2-channel source; choose DTS Neo: 6 Cinema or DTS Neo: 6 Music; adjust the center gain for a better image relative to the rear channels
• EARS: Enhanced Ambience Recovery System; proprietary NAD surround processing, plays multi-channel (5.1) from two-channel recordings, stereo or surround-encoded; EARS extracts the natural ambience present in nearly all well-produced stereo recordings, it does not synthesize any ambience or other sonic elements
• Enhanced Stereo: all recordings are output in stereo using the maximum number of speakers, useful for maximum volume from all channels or for multi-speaker background music; the front, center, surround, and surround back speakers can be turned on/off as desired
• Analog Bypass: analog signals are not converted to digital; the DSP, speaker setup, and bass management circuitry is bypassed; bass and treble controls remain
• Stereo: all output is directed to the front left and right speakers; low frequencies are directed to the subwoofer (if present)

A/V Presets: A/V presets can be stored with customized settings for listening mode, DSP options (lip sync delay), tone control, picture control, speaker setup, and front panel display; all stored together as a single preset.

Lip Sync Delay: Depending on the connected video equipment video signals may take longer to process than audio signals. The audio signal can be delayed up to 120ms to synchronize with the video signal.

Tone Controls: Bass (100 Hz) and treble (10 kHz) can be adjusted +/- 10 dB.

Multi-Zone: The M15 HD's Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4 outputs allow independent selection and control of outputs to other rooms. There are dedicated stereo RCA audio and composite video outputs for Zone 2. The Audio 3 and Audio 4 outputs can be set to Zone 3 and Zone 4 in the Setup menu.

Digital Inputs/Outputs: There are four coaxial digital inputs and four optical digital inputs. The inputs accept digital audio signals from a digital TV, Set top box, Blu-ray player, compact disc, DVD, LD, or other digital source components; each can be assigned to a specific source using the on-screen menu. There are also digital outputs, two coaxial and two optical. The digital outputs can be connected to MD recorders, CD recorders, DAT decks, or other similar components.

Preamp Outputs: The M15 HD features Front left, Front right, Center, Surround left, Surround right, Surround Back left, Surround Back right and two Subwoofer preamp outputs to connect the receiver to external power amplifiers. There is also a dedicated stereo output for Zone 2, and stereo outputs that can be used for zones 3 and 4 (switched from Audio 3 and Audio 4 outputs in the Setup menu).

7.1 Channel Input: The M15 HD features a 7.1 Channel input (Front left, Front right, Center, Surround left, Surround right, Surround Back left, Surround Back right and Subwoofer) for connecting an outboard processor or multi-channel analog source.

Assignable Inputs: Eight of the M15 HD's nine inputs are assignable (input 4/iPod is fixed as analog audio 4 and S-video 4); you program the name (as displayed on the front panel and OSD, up to twelve characters), analog input, gain setting (+/-12 dB to match the other sources), digital audio input, and video input to match a given source selection.

Video Features

Video Conversion: The M15 HD takes each analog video input (composite, S-video, or component video), digitizes it and sends it to the TV through the HDMI monitor output. Each is also converted to any analog outputs better than the original (composite video converted to S-Video and Component video, S-Video converted to component video). The on screen display is output from all the monitor outputs.

HDMI Inputs/Output: This unit has four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. The inputs are assignable using the receiver's on-screen menu. The M15 HD will convert composite video, S-video, and component video to HDMI.

Component Video Inputs/Output: This unit has three component video inputs and one component video output. The inputs are also assignable using the receiver's on-screen menu and the composite video and S-video input signals are converted to component video.

Composite Video Inputs/Output: There are four composite video inputs and one composite video monitor output; the inputs are assigned to specific sources using the on-screen menu. Video three also has an output for a recording device.

S-Video Inputs/Output: There are four S-video inputs and one S-video output; the inputs are assigned to specific sources using the on-screen menu. Video three also has an output for a recording device.

iPod Connectivity

iPod: The optional IPD 2 iPod dock (item number 745IPD2, sold separately) plugs into the MP Dock jack, S-Video 4, and Audio 4 (default iPod inputs) on the rear panel and allows audio, video, and pictures stored on your iPod to be played directly on your home Theater. The IPD 2 also charges your iPod's battery.

Remote Controls

Main Remote: The HTRM remote controls the T15 HD and is pre-coded with controls for other NAD components. It will also learn commands from other remotes, controlling up to eight components. The HTRM's buttons are backlit, but an ambient light sensor keeps the light from engaging when you don't need it. The light sensor and lighting duration are both adjustable. Up to 52 macro commands can be programmed using the function keys. A mini USB Type B port on the remote (cable not included) allows you to upload and download the remote configuration through a Windows PC using NAD's Proprietary HTRM programming software (availible on NAD's web site).

Multi-Room Remote: The included ZR 5 is a discrete compact remote for controlling the Zone 2 features of the T15 HD (not zones 3 or 4), it allows full control of the Zone 2 source selection and other applicable features. The ZR 5 will work from a different room using an IR sensor and hub or the IR sensor of a compatible NAD component in the second zone (either must be wired back to the location of the T15 HD).

DC Trigger: There are four 3.5mm +12 volt trigger jacks, one input and three assignable outputs. The input allows the M15 HD to be turned on by an external component; the outputs allow the M15 HD to turn on other components. Each output is individually programmable and can engage when the receiver is turned on, when a specific secondary zone is turned on, when any secondary zone is turned on, or when a specific source is used. The outputs can also be delayed up to 15 seconds.

IR In/Out: These 3.5mm connectors (one input and four outputs) allow you to connect the M15 HD to an infrared repeater and other components with IR inputs.

RS-232C: The RS-232C port is to be used in conjunction with an external controller; AMX, Crestron or a compatible PC using NAD's proprietary PC software.

Un-Switched AC: The maximum output on the 2-prong un-switched AC outlet on the rear panel is 120 watts/1 amp.

NAD A/V Remote App: This device can be controlled by your iPhone or iPad by the NAD A/V Remote App. Through the app, you can select and control basic functions such as power, volume, source, and listening mode for all zones. You can also name sources, tweak receiver presets, adjust tone controls and trim levels, tune radio stations, and activate Audyssey room equalization, from anywhere in the house. The NAD A/V Remote App is available from Apple iTunes, and works with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 5.1.1 or later.