T550 DVD/CD Player
Built-in Dolby Digital & Pro Logic decoder DTS compatible Built-in MPEG decoder (230V version only) Coaxial & Optical digital outputs Component Video output (115V version only) S-Video and Composite video outputs SCART with RGB and Composite video output (230V version only) Audiophile quality components 10 bit Video DAC 24bit/96kHz compatible Remote control PAL/NTSC Switchable
Not only is the T550 NADs first DVD Player, it is also the first DVD player with NAD sound. Our "Music First" approach to Home Theater makes the T550 equally at home playing music CDs as it is playing 5.1 movies. Video quality is also state-of-the-art in this forth generation DVD player. High quality onboard Dolby decoding makes the T550 a natural complement to the highly reviewed T750 5.1 Analog receiver, offering superb performance with all formats, combined with extreme ease of use and affordability.

Features and Circuitry

Of course the T550 can also be connected to an external processor or AV receiver with integrated decoder. Both a coaxial and optical digital output is provided to accommodate virtually all types of processors and receivers. If the DVD disc is encoded with the DTS audio (an optional surround sound format), the DTS digital datastream is available on either digital output for processing by an external decoder or receiver with DTS decoder integrated. NAD may be best known for the quality of its audio products, but the T550 will also set standards when it comes to video. Instead of using the more common 8- or 9-bit Video Digital-to-Analog converter, it uses a 10-bit converter, which reproduces images, more vividly and with better detailing. The color Component Video Outputs Y/Cb/Cr (120V version; North America only) or the SCART RGB output (230V version) provide the best connection possible to the latest High-End video monitors and projectors. Component Video Output and RGB outputs provide better video quality compared to the traditional RCA Video Composite or even S-Video. Besides superb performance, the NAD T550 also offers a wide range of facilities such as Multi-Angle*; Multi-Sound*; Multi-Subtitle*; Frame; Zoom and Repeat. All these facilities can be easily accessed with the supplied remote control. Through the extensive yet intuitive On-Screen-Display you can change the various settings and parameters for optimum performance. At NAD we believe that performance in sound is at least as important as video. If you are looking for enjoyment of music and movies, the NAD T550 should be on your shortlist. *These features need to be supported by DVD software.
The NAD T550 comes with a built-in Dolby Digital decoder (and MPEG decoder on 230V versions only) which will connect directly to the external 5.1 input of an NAD receiver (such as the NAD T750, for instance). Unlike many of the DVD players with integrated decoder, the T550s decoder and associated circuitry is more than a makeshift solution. Its quality is comparable to that of renowned decoders and expensive AV receivers. Via the On-Screen Display you can configure the NAD T550 exactly to suit your system: without or with a small or large center channel speaker, surround speakers and also selection of a subwoofer. Besides speaker selection the delay times can also be set individually for the center and surround speakers to provide exact timing of sound in the listening area. Metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors are used in key areas to ensure a highly accurate frequency response. Unusual for DVD players, high quality Burr-Brown (OPA 2134) op-amps are used instead of the much lower grade and type normally found at this price level and higher. The same is true for the stereo output/downmix Digital-to-Analog converter, a Burr-Brown PCM 1716, normally associated with top-of-the-range CD players. In combination with the 96kHz/24-bit Digital-to-Analog converters this means you will get the best performance, regardless if you are playing back CDs, DVD or VCDs.

SPECIFICATIONS - NAD T550 Audio Performance.

Frequency Response

DVD audio Audio CD Output level Signal to noise THD Wow and Flutter Channel separation CD Dynamic range

Video Performance

48Khz sampling

Below measurable level

10Hz to 22Khz 10Hz to 20Khz 2Vrms -105dB 0.007% < 0.001% peak 94dB 103dB 62dB PAL/NTSC
Signal to noise Signal system

Rear Panel Jacks

Audio output Digital coaxial Digital Optical Composite Video Output S-Video Output Component Video Output PCM,DTS,MPEG,ACAnalog L,R,C,LS,RS,Sub 2 Stereo (Down mix) outputs 0.5V p-p 75ohms PCM, DTS,MPEG,AC3 RCA x1 Y/C 4 pin x1 (120V version only) (230V version only)
RCA x3 Y/Cb/Cr SCART with RGB

General

Power requirements Dimensions (W x H x D)(excluding feet which are 15mm - 5/8") Net weight Shipping weight 230V/50Hz 22W 435mm 80mm 300mm 3.8kg 5.0kg 120V 60Hz 22W 17 1/8" x 3 1/8" x 11 13/16" 8.4 lbs 11.0 lbs
Burr-Brown is a registered trademark of the Burr-Brown Corporation. NAD reserves the right to change specifications or design at any time without notice. All specifications are those in effect at time of printing. Printed in Canada.

New Zealands hifi and home theatre resource a review from www.audioenz.co.nz

copyright AudioEnz 2000

NAD's DVD delight
NAD's first DVD player is a gem. By Michael Jones
NAD T550 DVD player. $1699
Given the numerous DVD players available from respected brand names, why would anyone pay more for the rst DVD player from a company with no video track record? In a word: performance. The NAD T550 has a better sound and picture than other DVD players below or around its price. But more on performance later. The T550 is nished in NADs traditional grey. Like virtually all NAD products, its appearance is Its the utilitarian. The performance of front panel is simple, with the the NAD that disc drawer in the centre and a makes all the smattering of transport condifference. The trols on the NADs picture was right. The back streets ahead! panel is a little more populated. The T550 was Theres the nornoticeably clearer, mal audio and video outputs, sharper and more of course, including an detailed than S-Video output other DVD players. which provides a higher picture quality with S-Video equipped televisions. Also on the back panel is a sixchannel output. The reason for this is that the NAD has a Dolby Digital decoder built into the player. This means that if you have a Dolby Digital-ready receiver, you can use a DVD player like the NAD and have DD sound. Also on the back is a rarity among DVD players sold in New

October 2000

Zealand: a Scart socket. Scart is a European standard connection for video and audio, but has mainly been seen in New Zealand to date on the back of European televisions such as Loewe and Grundig. The Scart socket on the back of the NAD allows for a direct RGB output, which will be useful to people running projectors with RGB inputs. The US version of the NAD has component video outputs instead of the Scart socket. Unlike many DVD players in New Zealand which are multizoned, the NAD comes out of the box set to Zone 4 (New Zealands zone as set by the Hollywood mandarins). This means that the NAD will not play the many Zone 1 DVDs available in this country. However, there is a hack that can be accessed via the remote control. This will change the NADs zone to whichever zone is needed (most NAD dealers will have details of this hack). However it will not make the T550 multi-zoned. The only other point against the NAD is that it wont play CDRs (CDs made with a computer or audio-based CD recorder). Keep this in mind if you have several CDRs to play. Its the performance of the NAD that makes all the difference. While the video performance differences between the typical cheaper
DVD players are noticable, they are not huge in the scheme of things. But the NADs picture was streets ahead! The T550 was noticeably clearer, sharper and more detailed than other DVD players. This wasnt because NAD had tweaked the video frequency response to make it look sharper - using the test DVD Video Essentials showed that the performance was real. The only video deciency I found was that reds went a little pastel. The other great aspect of the NAD T550 was its sound quality. Most DVD players are pretty mediocre playing music CDs - a decent $500 CD player can run rings around them. But the NAD was different. It sounded like a good $1000+ CD player. How did NAD do this? By using accepted audiophile practises. For example, the T550 uses extensive power supply regulation, separating out the power supply for the digital, servo and analog stages. As well, the NAD uses BurrBrown PCM1600 D/A convertors, instead of the mediocrity often found in DVD players. The analog output stage is apparently the same as used in their top Classic Series CD player, which also helps. So NAD have produced a DVD player with a great picture and sound. I would give it a top rating except for the zoning and CDR issues. But if thats less important to you, try the NAD.