UNIVERSAL DVD PLAYERS

NAD T585

A masterful

n the motoring world, the notion that advanced technology improves the breed is an acknowledged fact: what is developed at great cost for Formula 1 today, may well find its way into your average family saloon, albeit in simplified form, some years later. The principle isnt restricted to the automotive environment, however: its true of every high-tech industry, with the home theatre game an obvious example. Thus, the NAD T585 universal DVD player may look like a typically understated NAD component, and to a large extent it is just that, complete with trademark industrial grey exterior and round-buttoned switchgear. But the truth is that the T585 embraces some of the key technologies and circuit designs originally developed for the NAD Master Series, and the M55 disc player in particular.And that despite the fact that the T585 is significantly more affordable. Value has always been a NAD hallmark, and on features alone, the T585 appears to offer an attractive package. For starters, it is a truly universal player, coping with the full spectrum of disc formats. CD, DVD, DVD-A and SACD are the primary types, and the NAD plays them all. But the T585 will also work with DVDRs and CD-R/Ws, as well as with VCD and SVCD discs.And on the sonic front, it will also recognise and play back MP3 and WMA files written to CD-R/W discs. Oh yes, it also recognises and decodes HDCDs. The NADs universality extends to its connectivity options. HDMI is perhaps the most convenient, all-digital interface for both audio and video here, but in addition the NAD covers all the audio and video bases. System integration is aided by the presence of a 12V trigger input, a remote IR input and a RS-232 serial port. The front panel holds few surprises. The transport tray is centrally located and operates smoothly enough, while the bright fluorescent display above it provides the necessary selection of disc, format and track information. The switchgear is comprehensive, but most users will prefer opting for the equally comprehensively endowed remote control handset. In that light, NAD could have simplified the T585s fascia. Nothing simple, though, about the circuitry under the T585s bluff covers, however: its here where the NAD makes its magic, coping with the plethora of different formats and data streams with composed equanimity, and seemingly always making the most of whats on offer. Master Series fundis will recognise several key technologies here. For instance, the T585 treats SACDs in their native Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format, thus making the most of the higher resolution on offer, and keeping the signal conversion discrete from digital input to analogue output. CDs are converted into stereo analogue using top-quality 24-bit/192 kHz D/A converters.The DACs are audiophile-grade devices that are specifically quantisation noise-resistant, and operate in conjunction with high-speed FET output devices to retain high-resolution detail.

A U D I O

V I D E O

performance

DVD-Audio is treated with a combination of 24-bit/192 kHz conversion and Meridians industry-standard MLP lossless compression to make the most of that formats highresolution without exceeding DVDs inherent data rate of 9,6 MB/sec. For surround sound modes, the NAD provides digital bass management, which allows crossover points high and low-pass filter slopes selectable to best suit specific speaker set configurations. Since the T585 is a universal player, video output quality is equally important, and again, the T585 draws on the technology developed for the M55 Master Series disc player, utilising NADs dual-discrete video circuit (DDVC) for the T585s component video output set. Focusing on conversion speed and accuracy, DDVC combines the efforts of an Analog Devices 12-bit/216 MHz video D/A converter, and a second, Cirrus Logic 10-bit/27 MHz video DAC to deliver a full, detail-rich video experience. The use of two video DACs means that interlaced and progressive scan video can be processed separately but simultaneously, allowing both standard definition and highdefinition video signals to be output at the same time. Progressive scan feeds further benefit from Faroudjas in-built DCDi video processing, which is able to upsample DVDs native 480-line vertical resolution to HD-compatible 720p or 1080i. Of course, the NAD offers the full spectrum of DVD-related features, with access to a rich choice of set-up parameters and adjustments achieved via an intuitive on-screen user interface. Does all of this potential get reflected in practice? For the most part, yes. Installation is a simple affair, especially when opting for the HDMI link-up one connecting cable, one power cable, switch on, and youre up and running. However, beware of the idiosyncrasies of HDMI, which allows intercommunication

VITAL STATS

Digital conversion.24-bit/192 kHz (CD), single-bit/ 2,8224 MHz (DSD), 12-bit/216-MHz and 10-bit/27MHz (video) Frequency response.. 4 Hz 20 kHz (CD audio), 4 Hz 44 kHz (DVD audio) Signal-to-noise ratio.. 109 dB (audio, A-weighted), 60 dB (video) Audio outputs..Digital, stereo analogue, 5.1 analogue Video outputs.HDMI, Component, S-Video and composite Dimensions (WxHxD). 429 x 100 x 300 mm Weight..8,5 kg PRICE..RVERDICT Engaging performance from this do-it-all NAD, which benefits from the upmarket Masters Series in terms of internals and technology. Full suite of features and facilities, including HDMI, backs up powerful music and movie deliveries. SUPPLIED BY AV Specialists 021-946-1441 www.avspecialists.co.za

WEBSITE

between components that dont always have the desired effect. The NADs HDMI module would not talk to my Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver and Hitachi Plantara plasma directly, and in my system, the best results were achieved accepting the video feed from the NADs component video output, and the audio from its coaxial digital output.
Linking the HDMI interface directly to the Hitachi via HDMI, and using the NADs 5.1 analogue output set for audio was another viable option, with similarly good results in both sonic and visual terms. And I mean good.The NAD is a class act on the video front, especially if some time is spent tweaking the various video settings. Crisp resolution allowed close attention to fine detail, while the colours were rich and smoothly rendered.The blacks were inky, the whites pearly, and the overall effect impactful and believable. But the star of the T585 is the sound. It has a knack to give movie soundtracks the punch and presence one would expect of a truly cinematic experience, together with smooth surround sound integration and great tonal range.The bass management feature significantly added to this aspect. However, the NAD is equally adept at being a music-only source, a talent thats good news for those who need a single source component for both their music and movie needs. The T585 treats stereo with energetic enthusiasm, yet doesnt lose sight of the more delicate nuances and textures. It paints a broad, open and inviting soundstage in which scale and dimension are given free rein, and delivers loads of detail across the full tonal spectrum. I liked the way the NAD rendered SACD material, both stereo and multi-channel. The added resolution potential of this medium was witnessed in a greater depth of detail and a strong sense of ambience. But somehow, I was less enamoured with its DVD-A performance, which sounded a little dull and lacklustre by comparison. Still, few universal players at this price point can maintain such a high performance standard across the full spectrum of audio and video functionality.The NAD T585 gets just about everything right, with vivid video joining truthful, impactful and engrossing audio in a gratifying, universally talented package.

88 NAD Twww.nadelectronics.com

Sound choice

Martin Pipe lends his ears to NADs latest universal player, the 750 T585, and is impressed with what he hears. But can the visuals match up?
n many ways, NAD is the quintessential hi- separates company and over the years has acquired an enviable reputation for its wares old-timers will remember the legendary 3020-series budget ampliers. NAD has since gone AV ostensibly so that its commitment to sound performance can be experienced with movies, too. NAD chief Neil Wilson admitted to HCC, Its taken us a little bit of time to really embrace AV. I believe we turned a corner with the Masters Series, which has been lauded around the world. Now were in a position to roll
out some of that technology across our cheaper AV components. While the companys commitment to AV may be newly reinvigorated, but what hasnt changed is the functional design of (most) NAD products check out the battleship-grey colour-scheme and industrial aesthetic appeal. Just as well, then, that the T585 can be controlled via RS232 or an external IR sensor (sadly, not included). Out of sight, out of mind? Yes, but remember youve still got to insert those DVDs. NADs no-nonsense approach counts in other areas. For a start,
Silver surfer: The T585 boasts a stylish, brushed aluminium nish
the T585 shares many of the design features of the companys aforementioned cost-no-object (and HCC Reference Status awardwinning) Masters Series specically the M55 player. It may look military unlike the Masters components but the tank-like build quality is retained. Not for NAD the lightweight imsy DVD trays of lesser players. Then theres the strong complement of front-panel controls, capable of commanding many of the functions that would ordinarily require the remote in this case, a rather sombre affair whose
The functional design is reminiscent of NADs Masters Series
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(non-illuminated) layout could be improved. SACDs are processed natively in DSD form and not as is commonly the case converted rst to PCM. Like all DVD players the T585 will, of course, spin your CDs. However, this NAD goes one step further by handling the HDCD variant which was once popular among audiophiles, at least until the coming of true hi-res audio. Such discs are recognised as standard CDs by regular players, but HDCD-compatible hardware like the T585 looks for special helper content that boosts the resolution from the traditional 16 bits to a useful 20. Audiophiles arent too keen on MP3 and WMA, but a NAD engineer has managed to sneak in compatibility with these compressed formats, too. The 5.1 output also delivers Dolby Digital soundtracks, but stops short at DTS. cant immediately see their effects on playback. The T585 has no truck with codecs like DivX, XviD and WMV a pity, given that compatible players can be had for a tenth of the NADs asking price. So, not quite as universal as I would have liked. Although NAD has bought in Faroudjas familiar DCDi deinterlacing technology, scaling only goes as far as 1080i. In other words, theres no 1080p option, although NAD told us an upgrade will be made available. What is perhaps worse is that the HDMI output doesnt have a 576i mode (standard-denition interlaced, as it comes off the DVD). The output mode can be selected by a resolution button, but unless youre using component the lowest you can expect is 576p. Is this of note? The truth is

Back of the tech

Turn the player around, and youll nd a sensible array of AV connections that includes HDMI 1.1 (with upscaling, if desired), component, two-channel downmix and 5.1 audio outputs (driven by Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz hybrid digital-to-analogue converters). Theres also a VGA output, which is highly unusual on DVD players of this price point. Its only of any value if youre running out of HDMI/component inputs on your display, regularly use a computer monitor, or rely on an old ofce-type projector. Another oddity is the 12V trigger input. If the voltage is present, the player works otherwise its placed into standby. Perhaps
Product: Universal DVD player with audiophile aspirations can upscale to 1080i Position: Top of the nonMasters range of NAD DVD players, also positioned as a high-quality CD solution Peers: Arcam DV-135, Denon DV-3910, Pioneer DV-989AVi
there is a coming need for such a feature amongst the custom install CEDIA brigade but Im struggling to think
of many applications. Given its manufacturers hi- heritage, it shouldnt shock you to learn that theres more to the T585 than DVDs. It supports both the DVD-A and SACD high-res audio formats and in full 5.1 mode too.

Picture processing

So audio, as weve seen, is quite well looked after. How about the video? A nice touch is the video processor which includes adjustments for black level, colour saturation and gamma but not noise reduction. They have to be accessed from the main menu though, which means you
that the proprietary deinterlacing technologies of some recent TVs can deliver superior results to what DCDi now a bit long in the tooth is capable of.
In addition, serious enthusiasts like to employ scalers and video processors which work best when the source is operating in its raw native form. Perhaps NAD will look at this either
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Specifications
Upscaling: YES To 720p/1080i Multi-region: NO R2 out of the box, but hackable HDMI: YES HDMI v1.1 Component: YES RGB Scart: YES Analogue audio output: YES 2-channel downmix and 5.1 Digital audio: YES Coaxial and optical DVD-A and/or SACD playback: YES both Dimensions: 435(w) x 114(h) x 305(d)mm Weight: 8.7kg Also features: 3 DVD search speeds; 2 DVD slo-mo speeds; still/frame advance; video adjustments; RS232 control; 12V trigger input; CD-R/CDRW, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R/+R playback

Tech Labs

DVD playback Video jitter: 4ns Audio jitter: 378.8ps Composite video noise: -72.1dB S-video noise: -74.1dB Component video noise: -64.5dB Chroma AM: -68.3dB Chroma PM: -68.6dB Chroma Crosstalk: -66.7dB Response @ 5.8MHz (composite): -1.3dB Response @ 5.8MHz (Svideo): -1.1dB Response @ 5.8MHz (component, interlaced): -1.6dB

Control freak: A good amount of front-panel controls will help if you lose the remote
with its proposed rmware update or on a second iteration. It goes without saying that HDMI is preferable to component, because you bypass all of that conversion between analogue and digital. The HDMI 1.1 port employed here is restricted in terms of the audio it can carry. SACDs DSD streams cannot, for example, be conveyed to a compatible amplier in this way. Pleasingly the T585 is easy to make multi-region a valuable feature if youve accumulated a sizeable collection of Region 1 titles over the years. Heres how you do it. Press SETUP to bring up the menu and move the cursor to OTHERS. Key the following numerical sequence into the keypad: 7, 4, 1, 1, 3, 0. This will add a new submenu to the OTHERS menu, from which the desired region (specic or multi) can be chosen.
(a Full HD 42in LCD model) occasionally revealed more vertical denition when a 576i component feed was used, regardless of the HDMI mode selected. As revealed, the T585s HDMI port cannot deliver 576i. A pity, because the latter is slightly quieter and fares better as far as colour delity is concerned. It would therefore appear that the Sharps proprietary deinterlacer improves over the NADs bought-in Faroudja solution. I have no reservations as far as audio quality is concerned the T585 delivers the goods. I spun an SACD of Shostakovichs ominous 11th Symphony which is very lmic in character and was drawn into its unfolding drama. Dynamics and detail are handled with equal adeptness here. Vocal performances, whether musical or as part of movie soundtracks, are also represented naturally.

Performance

Using the recent zombihorror 28 Weeks Later as a test DVD, my initial impressions of the T585 are positive.

Conclusion

As an audio player, the T585 is highly impressive indeed, I would stick my neck out and say that its one of the nicest-sounding DVD players in its price bracket. In video terms NADs deck can be considered above average. However, the lack of support for 1080p (now specied on much cheaper players) may disappoint those badge-hunters with compatible displays. Theres much to like about the T585, but there are items Id like to put on a wish list, such as the ability to play back DivX discs and a 576i HDMI mode. But if such functionality isnt required and audio performance rates highly in your list of priorities then the T585 is a very creditable new NAD
The SD visuals arent perhaps as nely-detailed as on some of the megabuck DVD players seen in the recent past, but theyre as engaging as the build quality as far as contrast range, black level and colour rendition are concerned. Upscaling 720p or

1080i doesnt add much to the reproduction, but then again you cant create information that wasnt there in the rst place. Further viewing reveals that occasionally, the component output is preferable to the HDMI. My reference Sharp LC-42XD1E TV

VERDICT

NAD TApprox Highs: Excellent sound reproduction, iconic design Lows: Some issues with deinterlaced output, no DivX or 576i HDMI output Performance: Design: Features:

Overall:

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