NAD T973 Seven Channel Power Amplifier

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Design

As might be expected in an amplifier capable of one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of continuous power output, the power supply needs to be very carefully designed. As usual, NAD favours the toroidal transformer type for its superior regulation and low stray magnetic field. Our exclusive “Holmgren” transformer uses a special core design and materials to enhance efficiency and make the transformer less sensitive to DC offsets on the AC mains voltage. Over 80,000 uF of storage capacitance ensure an ample reserve of power for even the most demanding music and in soundtracks.

The T 973 employs monoblock construction for each of its seven channels. Every element of each channel’s circuitry, save the power supply is fully independent, eliminating inter-channel interference as a concern. The T 973 employs active ground isolation to further eliminate any possibility of inter-channel interference even when more than one preamplifier is driving the power amp (as might be the case in a custom installation).

Each section features an FET Class A input and driver stage circuits, and a high-current output-stage design, employing high speed, high current discrete output devices to promulgate superb dynamic quality. The result is musical detail, impact, and soundstage stability and depth unmatched by multi-channel amps of even two and three times the T 973’s price. NAD’s proprietary Soft Clipping (defeatable) maintains sonic quality and offers speaker protection even under severe overdrive conditions. Individual gain adjustment for each channel promotes easy, accurate system configuration, as does the T 973’s integral 12V trigger turn-on response. This multi-channel amplifier delivers its output via heavy-duty “five-way” connectors.

Ruggedness and in-system reliability are critical to successful custom-installed systems. This amplifier utilizes a combination of fuse and electronic nonintrusive protection: dependable, fail-safe, and sonically benign. Each channel is fully protected against excess temperature, DC fault, and loudspeaker short-circuit.

PowerDrive

The T 973 also benefits from NAD’s proprietary PowerDrive circuit topology, now well established and used throughout the NAD product range notably, in the highly reviewed models such as the C 320BEE and C 370. The PowerDrive topology allows the T 973 to deliver maximum performance under virtually any circumstance, independent of the loudspeakers it is driving. The circuitry automatically senses the impedance characteristics of the loudspeaker and will then adjust its power supply settings to best cope with that specific load. PowerDrive topology is a practical approach to enable an amplifier to easily deal with musical dynamics and difficult speaker loads. Thus we have the highly desirable characteristics of high dynamic power and low impedance drive capability in one affordable package.

NAD also takes a stand against the meaningless “brochure power” touted by many of our competitors by offering Full Disclosure power specs. We specify minimum continuous power, across the entire audible range of frequencies, at rated distortion, for both 8 and 4 ohms with all channels driven simultaneously. Perhaps even more importantly, we also specify Dynamic Power at 8, 4, and even 2 ohms, which better describes the way the amplifier will perform in the real world, with musical signals and reactive loudspeaker loads. But even the most carefully reported specs cannot fully describe the sonic performance of an amplifier.

Only your own ears can. finally judge our achievement. We urge you to listen and compare NAD to other products in its price range, and even higher. We don’t think you’ll . find anything that comes close to offering the T 973’s overall musical satisfaction, well-rounded performance, and stellar value for money.

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