Home Theater Forum - View Single Post

JasenJ · 12-30-2003, 04:08 PM

I just finished reading the HK AVR230 and NAD T763 manuals. (NAD still doesn't have manuals or any info about the T743 on their site.

)

Here's some things I learned - anyone with info countering any of this please chime in.
1. The HKs manual is 52 pages long; the NAD 32.

2. The HK allows all inputs to have independent volume trim, bass crossover, and speaker setup (large vs small & which speakers are active). The NAD lets you have 5 "presets" of all settings, but not to set things per input.

3. The HK allows bass crossover for the subwoofer to be set separately for the front, center, and surround channels. The NAD does not have any crossover setting.

4. The HK allows bass crossover to be set at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, or 200Hz. I couldn't find in the NAD manual what the bass crossover frequency is.

5. The HK has more surround modes than the NAD. (Not a zillion more like a Yamaha, but a few more.)

6. HK provides a list of remote codes for their multi function remote. NAD provides codes for their own components. Both remotes can be pointed at another component to figure out the codes, but NAD has this disclaimer: "However, since we can only ensure the completeness or accuracy of NAD code-libraries, we cannot support the HTR 2’s operation with other-brand components."

7. The NAD remote is a "learning" remote.

8. The HK remote can be used as a primitive SPL meter to automatically set up the speaker levels. NAD provides instructions for using an SPL meter.

9. The HK allows the front display to be dimmed & turned off (not sure if this applies to the glowing volume knob). The NAD does not.

10. The HK can be set to turn on at a set volume level.

There are many other differences, but those are some of the ones that stuck out and seemed noteworthy. Going purely from the manuals, the HK seems like a better product, with more setup flexibility than the NAD, and more attention to little details. Keep in mind, this is a comparison of products that are a couple of rungs apart on the pricing ladder (the NAD being higher up).

Of course, the real proof is in the listening. NAD has a rep for very nice sounding products. I haven't had a chance to A/B NAD and HK, but given the price differences for products at about the same power/feature level I'd expect the NAD to sound better.

I really kind of had my heart set on an NAD T743, but if the sound is minimally better than HK's and the HK has better features & flexibility; I'm now leaning toward HK.

- Jasen.

12-30-2003, 04:08 PM	#10 of 15
JasenJ Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Local Time: 08:35 AM Local Date: 12-02-2008 Posts: 26	I just finished reading the HK AVR230 and NAD T763 manuals. (NAD still doesn't have manuals or any info about the T743 on their site. ) Here's some things I learned - anyone with info countering any of this please chime in. 1. The HKs manual is 52 pages long; the NAD 32. 2. The HK allows all inputs to have independent volume trim, bass crossover, and speaker setup (large vs small & which speakers are active). The NAD lets you have 5 "presets" of all settings, but not to set things per input. 3. The HK allows bass crossover for the subwoofer to be set separately for the front, center, and surround channels. The NAD does not have any crossover setting. 4. The HK allows bass crossover to be set at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, or 200Hz. I couldn't find in the NAD manual what the bass crossover frequency is. 5. The HK has more surround modes than the NAD. (Not a zillion more like a Yamaha, but a few more.) 6. HK provides a list of remote codes for their multi function remote. NAD provides codes for their own components. Both remotes can be pointed at another component to figure out the codes, but NAD has this disclaimer: "However, since we can only ensure the completeness or accuracy of NAD code-libraries, we cannot support the HTR 2’s operation with other-brand components." 7. The NAD remote is a "learning" remote. 8. The HK remote can be used as a primitive SPL meter to automatically set up the speaker levels. NAD provides instructions for using an SPL meter. 9. The HK allows the front display to be dimmed & turned off (not sure if this applies to the glowing volume knob). The NAD does not. 10. The HK can be set to turn on at a set volume level. There are many other differences, but those are some of the ones that stuck out and seemed noteworthy. Going purely from the manuals, the HK seems like a better product, with more setup flexibility than the NAD, and more attention to little details. Keep in mind, this is a comparison of products that are a couple of rungs apart on the pricing ladder (the NAD being higher up). Of course, the real proof is in the listening. NAD has a rep for very nice sounding products. I haven't had a chance to A/B NAD and HK, but given the price differences for products at about the same power/feature level I'd expect the NAD to sound better. I really kind of had my heart set on an NAD T743, but if the sound is minimally better than HK's and the HK has better features & flexibility; I'm now leaning toward HK. - Jasen.