NAD M15HD Surround Sound Processor

Wow! Wonder if that unit will also have relays (clicking sound) like T175?

I am dying for the M15hd. I will be making my long awaited and first foray into separates (hopefully starting in the next week or two) with the purchase of an M25 amp. Then once the M15HD comes out...away we go.

Looking at the specs, it looks glorious. I already know what the amp can do. A customer of mine added the M25 onto his Denon 3808 and said he is now hearing things in music that he didn't even know was there prior.

But having the M15HD on top of that should be substantially better than using a 3808, or exponentially better than my Pioneer Elite VSX01.

Can't wait.

I will be keeping an eye on this unit for the video processing, same as the anthem but half the price. It is not gennum anymore but sigma designs.

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/P..._overview.html

The video processing in the new anthems is the 12-bit VXP (GF9452), so it does not appear that the NAD will have the same video processing. Also the price for the new anthem AVM50v is $5499 versus $4499 for the the NAD that I saw listed in an article on stereophile's website.

Some reports are actually putting the M15HD at $3999.

Sound quality may just go to the cheaper fella. We shall see.


Rick

Do you have a link?

Here is a link to the D2/AVM50 thread that discusses the 12-bit video processing in the anthems.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...78260&page=592

also http://www.castercomm.com/prView.cfm?cid=111&id=208

I could be wrong on the model number for the VXP in the anthems, I don't remember where I saw that, but the GF9452 is the only 12 bit one I saw on sigma's website.

Still a lot of confussion on if it is 10 bit or 12 bit.

http://www.castercomm.com/prView.cfm?cid=111&id=208

Bottom of the page.


If they are using the new 12 bit video processor then good for them.

The footnote in the press release (10-bit) was a typo as was discussed in the D2/AVM50 thread. The actual article states 12-bit, which was confirmed by anthem.

Does anyone have any update on a possbile release date for the M15HD?

Rick, do you have a link to where you saw $3999, I'm looking for more info on the M15HD. Looks like a good option to save some money over the anthems as was stated by Doug, even if the VXP processor is different.

Thanks.
-Brad

Hi Brad,

Here ya go.

http://www.widescreenreview.com/news...l.php?id=17872

I have the current M15 and it has really been a great unit in its price range.

I am really trying to figure out what I am going to do now. Arcam is also coming out with a pre/pro but it appears it will be quite expensive.

The M15HD is such a logical choice at its price ($4k to $4500). Well, I guess logical if you are familiar with their current M15 (sonics).

The Masters M25 Amp has been great as well but since I moved up to Dynaudio Confidence Speakers, I have sort of dreamed about the SimAudio Titan Amp which I now have a firm quote on.

I am a Bacardi/Coke away from throwing my M15/M25 up in the for sale section in preparation of upgrades as these units become available..

I have said many times that I think the Masters are finally going to get their due respect when the M15HD comes to light.

Rick

My store is a Canadian dealer for NAD and we are supposed to have pricing and release dates on Monday (jan19). My NAD rep at Lenbrook has said they are trying to keep the Canadian pricing and American pricing the same.

Here's hoping for $4000 and not 4.5k or worse 5k.


If it is over 4k, I may opt for the T175 and the M25 as my combo...again here's hoping I can make it a Master Series combo.

Thanks for the info guys.

Rick, how come you want to replace your M25 with the Titan, besides the fact that it's a pretty sweet looking amp.

any updates?

I called NAD. The M15 HD is supposed to available sometime in March for US sales. She could not say when in March.

I don't know about the US pricing on the M15hd, but I got the Canadian retail pricing amd wow are they higher that I was expecting. Canadian retail price is $5500.

I can accept the M25 at $4000 but I think it is a bit much for $5500 for the M15hd.

I think I will be going for a T175HD/M25 combo.

The M15HD will be $3995.00 USD. It will have exceptional (analog) sound-quality, a notch above the T175.

I'm looking forward to having on-board decoding for DolbyTru-HD and DTS-HD MA. However, with many current disc players and display's including (very good) video-processing on-board these day's I can care less for processing in my pre-pro, I'd prefer it pass-thru the video (I believe the chain is cleaner this way).

Now I'm contemplating whether to upgrade my T175 with the "HD" audio and new Audyssey functionality (maybe $1000.00 total), or just invest into a new M15HD?

The new Integra DHC-9.9/Onkyo PR-886S looks very intriguing as well (for $1500.00). I like the balanced connections, etherNET interface (to stream music files from PC), latest Audyssey, and more............

these are supposed to be "killer' amps!


I think so too. One of those SimAudio amp's paired with the new M15HD will guarantee a killer combo

M15HD does not include MultEQ XT, only Pro. But the 175 has both; M15HD has higher resolution osd, nice but not exactly essential; other than that don't see alot of value over 175; I would wait for reviews on new cards & see how much of an improvement they make; remember there's 100 & 200 series am & vm cards, so may not need to pay for unused features.

One thing about Integra 9.9 is they don't issue firmware upgrades (from what I've heard); also you're stuck with what's included in box, no card upgrades etc. Those units are having their own set of issues too, so while the grass might seem greener... Imo the NAD modular units will long outlast any other processors until other manufactueres also go modular.

yeah, Audyssey Pro is basically enough (for me). However, for (analog) audio the Master Series is a significant step above the T-xx5 series. So, for 2ch and 5.1ch music lovers (like myself) this would be very attractive. Otherwise, for home theater (using HDMI), both, the T175HD and M15HD will provide essentially near equivalent performance (I think).


what are you referring to- "100 & 200 series am & vm cards"?


yeah, I really do prefer the modular capabilities of the new NAD products, I think they did a beautiful job implementing this. However will wait and see how good the new cards function and/or improve things.

Just about every product I own is experiencing issues, mostly HDMI related- all three of my disc players require firmware updates, etc.,...

I'm not concerend with "greener grass", mostly just like the few extra items of functionality- ie. etherNET port, balanced connections (for my balanced Parasound Halo amp, etc.,....).

What is the T175HD going to run for a video processor?

I believe Bob Moran mentioned the new HD video card would retail for $900.00 .

He also mentioned that there will be two different new HD audio DSP cards. Each would feature on-board decoding for Dolby-Tru HD and DTS-HD MA. One would include the Audyssey Auto EQ/Dynamic Volume upgrade ($600.00), while the other would only feature HD audio decoding ($400.00).

The "am100 and vm200" cards are the ones you speak of that provide the upgraded audio and video functions. I would paste in the email from Bob explaining them but thats on another machine and its not near me at the moment. Bob M says mid to end of Feb for news on the cards and how to upgrade...I'm waiting patiently.

I'm waiting patiently as well, february or march will be here shortly.

Thing is I will probably send my unit back to NAD factory to have upgrades performed to insure proper integration and function.

So are the prices I'm quoting (above) approx similiar to what Bob says?

Is the T175HD going to run the same video processor as the M15HD?

Yeah, the prices are pretty much what I was told.

Yes. However, not sure what the advantage would be for pass through, but I keep hearing about the 'magic' of the new processor so we'll see; something tells me we're going to want it.

So, are they going to keep their word about "available in February"?
And an even more interesting question is - are they going to supply some early units to selected reviewers? (Never happened for T175, which some people think was related to continuing problems with HDMI and "popping" sounds.)
I would loooove to hear Kal Rubinson comparing M15HD with Integra... Kal, did you request one by any chance?

I did.

Any more news on this front, seems like it has died down a bit...