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).
Note: The NAD M15 HD preamplifier/processor does not
feature a built-in amplifier and requires a separate power amplifier such as
the NAD M25 7-channel power amplifier (item number 745M25, sold separately).
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.
