NAD Electronics has introduced a unique Upgrade Program enabling dealers and installers to offer custom configurations to owners of NAD's high-value A/V products. Each Upgrade Module allows an owner to install one or more elements of NAD's innovative new mechanical architecture, Modular Design Construction (MDC), into select NAD A/V Receivers and Preamp-Processors.

Developed exclusively by NAD, MDC provides numerous benefits and advantages. It greatly improves products' performance, functionality and ease of use, while protecting them against premature obsolescence. It also simplifies product servicing, and enables NAD to more quickly bring to market new "advanced technology" features.

MDC updates NAD's Building Block Concept, a powerful design approach the company pioneered more than 30 years ago. The Building Block Concept allowed NAD's integrated stereos to accommodate more powerful amplifiers while retaining the preamp section of the integrated amp. MDC reinvents the concept by combining NAD's traditional benchmark-performance pedigree with leading-edge, feature-driven technologies, yielding the critical operational functionality today's video-centric world requires.

Kicking off the MDC Upgrade Program are four plug-in modules that add valuable features and capabilities while enhancing input and output connectivity. These first four modules cover digital audio and HDMI functions, component and analog video functions, and two-channel and multi-channel analog audio functions. Additional modules are planned.

The announced modules include two options for upgrading audio performance and two options for upgrading video performance. By giving our customers the option of spending only for those features they really want, the benefit is obvious. It also allows them to maintain their initial investment by upgrading to new technology at a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire receiver.

• The MDC AM 100 Module features a Dual Core digital signal processor (DSP), Audyssey Setup, and decoding for Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS High Definition and Master Audio formats. Its connections include 3 coax digital audio inputs, 3 optical digital audio inputs, 1 coax output and 1 optical output. • The MDC AM 200 Module features compatibility with Audyssey MultEQ XT, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which preserves the full impact of movie soundtracks; Audyssey Dynamic Volume, which prevents large jumps in volume when TV channels or video sources are changed; and Audyssey MultEQ Pro. It includes two Dual Core DSPs, and decoding for Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS High Definition and Master Audio formats. Its connections include 3 coax digital audio inputs, 3 optical digital audio inputs, 1 coax output and 1 optical output. • The MDC VM 100 Module includes switching for 4 HDMI sources and converts the standard-definition analog video inputs to HDMI output. It supports all resolutions up to 1080p/60, and de-interlaces SD video from 480i and 576i to 480p and 576p. With full HDMI repeating functionality the VM 100 allows audio to be processed in the NAD Receiver while sending the video signal to the HD display device. It also allows for full On-ScreenDisplay.

The MDC VM 200 Module converts SD analog video to HDMI output, and supports all resolutions up to 1080p/60. It comes equipped with a VXP Broadcast Studio Quality Image Processor capable of motion adaptive de-interlacing with edge interpolation, which eliminates the jagged edge effects common in lesser image/scaling processors; film mode detection with output cadence generation, which gives video the smoothness of film; programmable scaling with aspect ratio conversion, which perfectly matches a video source with a video display; frame conversion to and from any refresh rate (in NTSC and PAL), and advanced noise reduction and detail enhancement, which enrich the display of analog video sources. The module includes an HDMI Repeater, 4 HDMI inputs, and 1 HDMI output.

Owners of NAD's flagship Theater Series components -- the T 175 Preamp- Tuner-Processor and T 785, T 775 and T 765 AV Receivers -- will be able to upgrade these products through the Upgrade Module Program. In the first quarter of 2009 new HD versions of its Theater Series A/V Receivers and Surround Sound Preamplifiers will incorporate these new modules and also allow for further dealer installed customization. The MDC modules will be available from authorized NAD dealers and custom installers in January 2009 and priced as follows:

Module Price MDC AM 100 $400 MDC AM 200 $600 MDC VM 100 $400 MDC VM 200 $950