Separates vs. All-in-one receivers
NAD designs and sells both receivers and separates, and each can provide a spine tingling Home Theater
experience. While receivers offer a simple one-box solution to the switching, decoding, and amplification
needs of the Home Theater, there are some inherent limitations to combining high power amplifiers with
sensitive switching and decoding circuits. The high current circuits required for the highest levels of audio
performance create a lot of heat and stray magnetic fields that limit the ability of low level audio and video
circuits from achieving optimum levels of low noise and distortion. This is a fact of life dictated by the laws
of physics.
The 5-Channel NAD T955 is a perfect accompaniment to the T175 A/V Tuner Preamplifier.
We also believe that there is a practical limit to the size of a component developed for home use, a limit that
is often surpassed in the largest and most expensive AV receivers.
Another consideration is cost. While a receiver may appear to offer more for your money in the short run,
the fact of the matter is that receivers quickly become obsolete. This is because decoder technology is
still evolving very fast. If you want the latest in video performance and surround sound decoding, plan on
replacing your decoder every 3–5 years. The decoder is but one part of the receiver, yet it is inseparable,
requiring the replacement of the entire unit even though only one part is obsolete. But amplifier technology
is very mature and the performance of the T955 amplifier will not be exceeded in the foreseeable future.
After all, we still have NAD customers raving about the sound of their NAD amplifiers nearly 30 years
later! With an AV receiver the baby goes out with the bath water when upgrading the digital processor to
accommodate the latest surround sound decoding format, as there is often no way to reuse the amplifier
section.
Massive power
Many people are under the illusion that the only reason for high power is to play loud. In fact, the primary
advantage to high power is the ability to play loud and clear. When the distortion is very low, the sound isn’t
loud, it’s BIG! Distortion is what makes sound ‘loud’, and this can lead to listener fatigue – that feeling that
it is just too loud. Big sound is effortless and compelling, drawing the listener into the performance and
T 955 Five Channel Power Amplifier
•
5 x 100W Simultaneous Full Disclosure Power
• 5 x 160W Minimum Continuous Power (FTC)
• Dynamic power - 150W 8 Ohms, 200W 4 Ohms, 260W 2 Ohms
• PowerDrive™ amplifier technology
• Custom wound Holmgren Toroidal transformer with proprietary
shielding to eliminate EMF leakage
• Custom 5-Way Binding Posts
• 12V Trigger for advanced control options
• NAD Soft Clipping™
• Detachable AC cord
Features
Details
