In reply to:
We need to get our wives together sometime.
Anytime!..............but don't ever tell my wife what audio stuff is actually worth. She has ideas but she never asks and I like it that way!
As for the NAD, it's really simple why I like it:
- More power then you will ever need.
- It's a small thing but I like the way it looks.
- Simple to use.
- Fantastic sounding.
- Dolby Digital & DTS is done very well. All channels have excellent separation with nothing overdone.
- EARS is very interesting to say the least. NAD has the right idea when it comes to taking a stereo source and sending it to all speakers. Other then the Denon 3805, this is the only receiver I have owned that does it right.
There are a few small items I would change but not many. One is the pre-set option for settings. You have a total of 5 but you can't rename them. In a perfect world, I would like to have the ability to rename them. NAD gives you the option on the video and audio options but not the presets. Perhaps an oversight on NAD's part. My next gripe would be with the back of the NAD. It's a little cramped but it's manageable. I would also like more optical inputs, but on the good side, there are a ton of coaxial (Digital) inputs. NAD doesn't allow end users to do software upgrades. Your unit has to go back to a dealer. This is just plain stupid if you ask me!
To date my number one choice for an HT receiver was the HK 7300. I would put them neck and neck but the NAD for reasons unknown sounds a heck of a lot better with music. I don't think you would go wrong with either but I just love the power this thing puts out. It never stops coming. I also like the fact that the NAD isn't loaded up with a ton of stuff most people won't ever use. NAD got it right with this one.