NAD M55 User manual

The Masters Series – M55 Digital Disc Player
- Plays DVD-V, DVD-A, DVD R, DVD-R, VCD,
SVCD, SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW
- HDMI HD Output
- Faroudja DCDi circuit for 480i (DVD standard)
video upconversion to 420p, 720p or 1080i
- Progressive scan with 3:2 pull down (film
detection mode)
- Component, S-Video and Composite Video
Output
- Analog Devices 12 bit 216 MHz video DACs for
Component output
- Cirrus Logic 10 bit 27MHz video DACs for
Composite and S-Video
- Independent video DACs allow simultaneous
feed to zone 2
- Coax andTosLink optical digital audio outputs
- Bass Management for DVD-A and SACD
- Separate 2 channel and 5.1 channel analog
outputs
- Dolby Digital decoding and DTS digital out
- HDCD, MP3, and WMA decoding
- 24 bit 192kHz DACs
- RS-232 port
- IR Input
- 12VTrigger Input
- Detachable AC cord
- M55 Remote Control
UNIVERSAL PLAYBACK
With the proliferation of different optical disc formats, most people want
just one player that will play them all.The M55 is capable of playing most
all the popular entertainment oriented optical disc formats, including the
high resolution DVD-Audio and SACD music formats. MP3 and WMA
compressed formats are also decoded, offering surprisingly good sound
quality when recorded at higher available bit rates. Your existing CD
collection is also in for a major sonic upgrade when played back through
the advanced electronics of the M55.
DVD-Video can be watched in normal interlaced mode, or in progressive
scan mode, providing yourTV monitor supports this type of signal. If you
have a high definition (HDTV) monitor equipped with HDMI inputs that
support HDCP encryption, you can also take advantage of the Faroudja
DCDi chip that will ‘upconvert’ standard DVD (480 lines) to the HD formats
of 720p or 1080i.
DVD-Audio and SACD decoding take place on board with comprehensive
bass management available for decoded signals. DVD-Audio uses high
resolution 24 bit PCM signals and MLP ‘lossless’ compression to advance
audio performance to unprecedented levels. SACD (super audio compact
disc) is a different approach to high definition audio using the DSD (direct
stream digital) technique to obtain a very realistic sonic presentation. Both
techniques have their adherents, but thankfully, with the M55, you don’t
have to take sides in the discussion about which format is better – you
have both formats covered!
ADVANCED FEATURES
The M55 includes the High Definition Digital Interface (HDMI) with
HDCP encryption, allowing high definition audio and video signals to be
transferred between source components, processors, andTV Displays in a
pure digital format. This eliminates the distortion producing conversions
between digital and analog by keeping the signal in the digital domain.
Before the advent of HDMI, it was mandated that high definition audio
and video signals could only be transferred using an analog format.
Naturally, the M55 supports all the popular DVD-Video features, such as
fast and slow scan, multi-language, multi-angle, A-B repeat, and last scene
bookmarking. The ergonomically designed remote handset puts all these
features right under your thumb for easy and convenient operation. Easy
integration with advanced control systems, such as AMX and Crestron, is
made possible using the rear panel IR input, 12V trigger input, and RS-232
port.

LUXURIOUS DESIGN
The design brief reads: “The industrial design must create a
physical presence that is powerful, dynamic, and solid, yet
refined and elegant”. We wanted a design that will still look
fresh and new a decade from now, a design with classic
proportions and understated details.
Intelligent use of aluminum extrusions, zinc castings, and
heavy gauge steel results in a chassis that is as rugged as
it is handsome. Innovative use of specialized coatings and
plating results in a product that will retain its good looks for
many, many years to come.
Since the high-density data recorded on DVD must be read
with absolute accuracy, vibrations from outside or from
internal sources, such as the power supply, will adversely
affect sound and picture quality.A variety of special measures
have been incorporated in the NAD M55 to suppress these
unwanted vibrations, from the carefully engineered heavy
gauge steel chassis, to the vibration isolating silicon rubber
foot design.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
Separate signal paths for the DVD and SACD audio maintain
the highest possible levels of DVD, CD and SACD sound
quality. Digital audio outputs are available in both coaxial,
and optical (TosLink) SPDIF formats, as well as digital format
via the HDMI output. DVD-Audio uses the Dolby licensed
MLP lossless compression to produce PCM formatted high
resolution signals with 24 bits and up to 192kHz sample
rates. MLP perfectly shrinks the very high data rates of DVD-
Audio – up to 13.8 Mbps – to the DVD limit of 9.6 Mbps
without losing any data. This compares with data rates of
approximately 1.5 Mbps for CD, and as little as 0.03 Mbps
for MP3 encoded audio.
Dolby Digital and Dolby ProLogic decoding is also included,
as is support for MP3 and Windows Media Audio.The NAD
M55 uses professional grade 24-bit, 192-kHz audio D/A
converters.These premium devices are well protected from
noise caused by even minute fluctuations in current from
the power supply. The level of quantization noise within
the frequency range is uniform for all frequencies and very
well suppressed. This D/A converter ensures that all the
sound you hear is as clear and noise-free as possible. High
speed FET output devices keep all the detail present in high
resolution SACD and DVD-Audio formats, perfectly intact.
Digital Bass Management is available for all surround sound
formats. This prevents bass frequencies from overloading
and distorting your speakers by ‘redirecting’ them to
your subwoofer which is specially designed to handle the
lowest octaves. When playing DVD-Video, DVD-Audio or
Super Audio CD sources, it is possible to preset speaker
configurations.The crossover point is selectable with 12 dB
high and 24 dB low pass filter slopes.
VIDEO PERFORMANCE
The M55 features a Dual Discrete Video Circuit (D.D.V.C.)
for the highest possible picture quality via the Component
Video output. An extremely high-speed video D/A converter
is a very critical component in generating a superior quality
video playback from DVD. The NAD M55, therefore, uses
the highest quality 10-bit, 27MHz individual video DACs for
Composite and S-Video from Cirrus Logic and 12-bit, 216MHz
individual video DACs from Analog Devices for Component
output. Independent video DACs allow simultaneous feed to
zone 2. These ensure highly accurate playback of delicate,
low-level video signals. This produces a vivid picture that
is faithful in every detail. Over sampling of 4x is achieved
for Progressive and 8x for interlaced video signals, allowing
more detailed D/A conversion. Higher quality picture
reproduction is also possible thanks to a filter with flexible
‘shutout characteristics’ that is used for the analog filter
in the latter stage. Furthermore, the NAD M55 uses two
separate video D/A converters to process Progressive and
Interlaced signals. This eliminates mutual interference
between the Progressive and Interlaced signals and allows
both an Standard Definition and a High Definition picture to
be output simultaneously – a great feature for sending video
to a second viewing zone (available on the M15 Preamp
Processor).
Progressive Scan features the DCDi processor by Faroudja.
Progressive Scan technology represents a vast improvement
over the interlaced scanning method used in normal TV
broadcasts and other conventional applications, as it can
process around twice as much video data to produce a
sharper, noise-free picture with finer details. Video images
are faithfully displayed with optimum naturalness and
beauty.
A wealth of picture quality adjustment functions, including
Contrast, Brightness, Hue, Sharpness, Black Level and
Gamma, can all be adjusted using the intuitive On Screen
menu.

Audio
Frequency Response CD Audio
Frequency Response SACD Audio
Frequency Response DVD (96kHz)
Output Level
Signal/noise ratio, A-weighted
THD (at 0dB, 1kHz)
Wow and Flutter
Channel separation CD
Dynamic range
Number of discs
DVD Video
Signal to Noise
Signal System
Output
Digital Coaxial - PCM, DTS, MPEG, AC3
Digital Optical - PCM, DTS, MPEG, AC3
Composite Video
S-Video
Component Video
HDMI
Remote Control
Physical Specifications
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Net Weight
Shipping Weight
4Hz to 20kHz
10Hz to 41kHz
4Hz to 44kHz
2V rms
-115dB
0.0045%
Quartz Accuracy
90dB
99dB
1
70dB (Interlace),
72dB (Progressive Scan)
PAL/NTSC
0.5 p-p 75Ω, RCA x 1
3V p-p 75Ω
1v p-p 75Ω1 x DIN
Y/C 4 pin x 1
RCA x 3Y/Cb/Cr
YES
NAD M55
17 1/8 x 3 7/8 x 11 7/8”
(435 x 100 x 300mm)
18.7 lbs (8.5kg)
30.0 lbs (13.6kg)
Specifications

NAD Electronics International reserves the right to change specifications or features without notice as design improvements are incorporated. NAD is a registered
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written permission of NAD Electronics. International. Printed in Canada 08/05. www.NADelectronics.com