DVD PLAYER/AV RECEIVER COMBO

NAD L76/56

T wo for the price of one
s much as I protest at being called an audio or videophile, the truth is that my thinking tends more to the, shall we say, 'extreme' side of the A/V industry than to the homogenous side. This would go some way to explain my (general) preference for separate components over all-in-one systems. My brain always subconsciously or otherwise keeps an eye open for an upgrade path. I may be wrong, but I don't feel that it's too practical to hack the DVD player section of an integrated home theatre system off, and plaster a new player with higher bandwidth and better outputs in place. Admittedly, most people tend to be quite happy with the performance of their all-in-one systems, and the only time they think of upgrading is when lightning strikes or the system has had one Smartie too many fed to it. This is the way most people think, but you're reading this magazine, and this simple fact determines that you probably like me are a little more discerning as to your A/V requirements. This brings me the system featured on this page, namely the NAD L76 AV receiver and L56 DVD player combo. You could, I suppose, call the duo a 'one-box' solution, as the independent components are supplied in one big box. The first component you get to when you open the big outer box that contains the above-mentioned duo, is the L56 DVD player. This, NAD describes as carrying on the tradition of including every useful feature necessary for complete enjoyment of your movies and music, while keeping operation as logical and straightforward as possible. When translated from spin to English, this means that the L56 is a good looking DVD player that can play most of the current discbased formats, and is equipped with stereo audio, coaxial and optical outputs for audio, and composite, S-Video and RGB (on a SCART connector) video outputs. The L76 shares the same attractive, compact styling of the L56 DVD player, incorporates Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1 and Dolby ProLogic II A U D I O

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VERDICT Combination of compact, good looking and separate DVD player and AV receiver makes the L76/L56 duo a viable alternative to similarly priced, all-in-one components. PRICE..RSUPPLIED BY AV Specialists 021-946-1441 www.avspecialists.co.za

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decoding, and a built-in 30 station preset AM/FM tuner. It also has inputs for up to six sources, with three of these inputs including video switching on both composite and S-Video formats (but no SCART connector). It is also equipped with two optical inputs and one coaxial digital input, as well as two digital outputs, tone controls, a headphone jack, and to make installation easier, the L76 even uses good quality speaker binding posts. Set-up is enhanced by the presence of a fairly V I D E O
comprehensive onscreen display. Output power is rated at 5 x 45 watts, with all channels driven. NAD states that the power output of the receiver is achieved by using all discrete high power transistors rather than the less capable power ICs, and that the power supply used is capable of delivering high current. Something that is worth a mention at this point is that NAD supplies their excellent HTR L76 learning remote control with the system. This is a powerful tool that is worth more than just a penny or two. After unpacking both components, they were installed into our equipment stand, and wired up. Once operational, system parameters were set and the combo was left to run for a few days before any serious listening and viewing began.This is common practice for me, but AV Specialists go so far as to state on a sticker stuck to the outer box that the components need a minimum of 50 hours before they will deliver their best performance.This indeed proved to be the case. On the video side of things, the system proved to be more than adequate, with good colour, image depth and clean edge resolution.Video performance would have been even better had I been able to use the RGB output from the SCART connector. The display I was using during the review period was equipped with practically every input except SCART. Sonically, the combo delivered rather well too. Whilst no great powerhouse, it nevertheless was more than capable of filling our demo room with clean and clear audio. Imaging was good in both stereo and surround modes and its tuner worked rather well too, in fact better than that of a far costlier AV receiver being reviewed at the same time. You can and do get systems for less than the L56/L76.Whether these could match the fine balance between aesthetics and performance of the NAD combo is debatable, and would depend on how much credence you personally set for either parameter.

L 56 DVD/CD/MP3 Player / L76 A/V Receiver
The L56/L76 stand as an ideal solution for the city apartment dweller that demands great performance but doesnt have the space to dedicate to a full blown component based Home Cinema set-up. With styling that compliments many of the flat screen and plasma displays that are so popular today, the L56/L76 can serve as the heart of an advanced but seriously compact Home Entertainment System. Features The L56 carries on the NAD tradition of including every useful feature necessary for complete enjoyment of your movies and music, while keeping operation as logical and straightforward as possible. Through the extensive, yet intuitive On-ScreenDisplay, you can change the various parameters and settings that affect the picture and sound. Our Scene Bookmarking feature allows you to quickly resume the viewing of a movie without having to go back to the DVD scene menu. Multi-Angle, MultiLanguage, and Multi-Subtitle DVD features are supported when included on the DVD disc itself. FreezeFrame, Slow and Fast Scanning, Zoom, and Repeat are also available. VCD and MP3 formats are fully supported. The L76 includes Dolbys latest innovation in 5.1 surround sound processing, ProLogic II. With separate modes for Movies and Music, PL II offers surround sound performance comparable to specially encoded Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks from any 2 channel source. Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 sound tracks are automatically recognized, and ProLogic II, Stereo 3, and Hall ambience modes create realistic surround effects from non-encoded material. The L76 is remarkably compact considering its very flexible input and output options. Up to six sources can be connected, in addition to the built-in FM/AM radio tuner. Three of these inputs also include video switching in both composite and S-Video formats. The Video Monitor output incorporates an OnScreen-Display for easy system setup. Two optical inputs and one coaxial digital input are provided, and for easy transfer to a digital recording device, two digital outputs are also included (1 optical, 1 coaxial). Included with the L56/L76 System is a special version of NADs highly acclaimed learning remote control dubbed the HTR-L76. This handy device can copy the commands from your TV, VCR, and Satellite receiver, and almost any other IR remote, thus ending the confusion and clutter of multiple handsets. Logical layout of the generously sized buttons combined with illumination make the HTR-L76 the remote of choice when enjoying your Home Entertainment system.
NAD L56 DVD, CD, MP3 Player Elegant Titanium finish Plays DVD, CD, CDR, CD-RW, VCD MP3 decoder integrated Coaxial and Optical Digital outputs S-Video and Composite video outputs SCART with RGB output NAD L76 Surround Sound Receiver 5 X 45 watts all channels driven simultaneously 20Hz 20kHz 2 X 60 watts in Stereo mode Dolby Digital, Prologic II, DTS, Stereo 3, and Hall surround modes Informative On-ScreenDisplay Crystal Sigma-Delta ADCs and DACs with 96kHz/24 bit resolution Subwoofer PreOut for powered subwoofers 6 Audio and 3 Video Inputs All Video in/outputs S-Video and Composite 3 Digital Inputs, 2 Digital Outputs RDS FM/AM Tuner with 30 station presets (RDS PS & RT) Gold Plated RCA sockets Binding Post speaker terminals HTR-L76 Remote Handset 8 Device Learning remote Full Illumination with adjustable time-out Macro function with up to 64 commands Ergonomic design Direct access to Surround, Center, and Sub channel volumes
The FM tuner provides 30 preset positions for instant recall of your favorite stations, and the handy RDS decoder gives a useful read out of station call letters and program information on the front panel display. Tone controls with carefully chosen characteristics for boost and cut affect only the front channels for fine tuning the response of your loudspeakers and program material. A headphone jack is provided for private listening. Speaker connectors are the same high quality binding posts found on our full size components, and combined with gold plated input sockets allow and encourage the use of premium quality speaker and signal cables. Performance As you would expect from any component wearing the NAD badge, performance is nothing short of spectacular! Dont be fooled by the compact dimensions of the L56/L76 combo performance and power surpasses that of many (if not most) full size components. The L76 boasts 5 X 45 watts of NADs Full Disclosure power, more real distortion-free power than many of our competitors offer in their 100 watt receivers, as we measure all channels driven simultaneously over the full musical range. This remarkable performance is achieved by using all discrete high power transistors rather than the less capable power ICs favored by many of our competitors. Combined with a high current power supply and 30 years of experience designing award winning

L 76 A/V Receiver

Amplifier Section Power output Stereo Mode (8 within rated distortion) IHF dynamic power; 8 IHF dynamic power; 4 IHF dynamic power; 2 Simultaneous power output surround mode Total harmonic distortion at rated power IM distortion at rated power Damping factor 8 Input sensitivity and impedance Frequency response Signal/noise ratio; ref rated power 8 Signal/noise ratio; ref 1W / 8 Remote Control Tuner Section Input sensitivity Mono 50dB Stereo: Harmonic Distortion; FM Mono Harmonic Distortion; FM Stereo Signal/noise; Mono Signal/noise; Stereo Stereo separation at 1kHz Frequency response; + 1.5dB Physical Specifications Dimensions (W x H x D) Net Weight Shipping Weight 11 1/4 x 4 3/4 x 12 1/4" (285 x 120 x 310mm) 19.1 lbs (8.68kg) 21.3 lbs (9.68kg) 16.35dBf 20.79dBf 0.2% 0.3% 74dB 70dB 38dB 30Hz - 15Hz 5 x 45W (16dBW) 0.08% 0.08% >200 200mV / 47k 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.5dB -99dB -85dB Yes 60W (18dBW) 82W (19dBW) 120W (20.7dBW)
amplifier circuits, this NAD component can extract every nuance of sound from your favorite music and movie soundtracks. The generous power capability allows the L76 to be partnered with almost any of todays high quality loudspeakers your enjoyment is not limited by the mediocre speakers included with many other compact systems! The digital sections of both the L56 and L76 incorporate the latest generation Analog-to-Digital, and Digital-to-Analog converters and DSP processing chips for superb sonic and visual performance. Picture quality from DVD is nothing less than stunning, with natural color rendition and tremendous picture detail. We adjust our video parameters to broadcast standards, shunning many of the tricks employed by our competitors to hype the brightness and contrast ratios that may initially impress, but prove tiring and unpleasant in the longer term. System Synergy The visual design and electronic performance of the L56 and L76 are perfectly matched, creating a synergy that will enhance your dcor while intensifying the pleasure of listening to music and watching movies. Their compact size and elegant finish allow these components to fit into spaces and places that most high performance systems could never occupy.

L 56 DVD/CD Player

Audio Frequency Response CD Audio Output Level Signal/noise ratio, A-weighted THD (at 0dB, 1kHz) Wow and Flutter Channel separation CD Dynamic range DVD Video Signal to Noise Signal System Output Digital Coaxial - PCM, DTS, MPEG, (230V), AC3 Digital Optical - PCM, DTS, MPEG, (230V), AC3 Composite Video S-Video Component Video Physical Specifications Dimensions (W x H x D) Net Weight Shipping Weight 11 1/4 x 3 9/16 x 11 7/16 (285 x 90 x 290mm) 7.15 lbs (3.2kg) 10.2 lbs (4.5kg) 0.5 p-p 75 0.5 p-p 75 RCA x 1 Y/C 4 pin x 1 Yes SCART w/RGB(230V) 62dB PAL/NTSC 10Hz to 20kHz 2V rms -105dB 0.008% < 0.001% peak 86dB 103dB

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