NAD T 778 9.2 AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos

The NAD T 778 is NAD's reference AV receiver: a 9-channel surround receiver with HybridDigital amplifiers, Dirac Live room correction, BluOS streaming and a large colour touchscreen.

It's the flagship for anyone who won't compromise on home cinema – and still loves music. Powerful, composed, thoughtfully engineered: an AV receiver that behaves more like a high-end amplifier with a talent for cinema.

Why the T 778?

Because it combines uncompromising power with genuine musicality. Nine HybridDigital channels (Class D) deliver 9× 85 watts at full drive (140 watts in stereo) – cool, efficient and with a pitch-black background. Add Dolby Atmos and DTS:X up to 7.2.4, the widely praised Dirac Live room correction with microphone, and – unusual for an AV receiver – a built-in MM phono stage for your turntable. Everything is operated via a large colour touchscreen on the front instead of a sea of buttons.

What you hear / get

Big-screen cinema with punch, precision and composure – plus a stereo sound that puts many dedicated hi-fi amplifiers to shame. Through BluOS you stream lossless (Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, AirPlay 2, Roon, MQA up to 24-bit/192kHz). Six HDMI inputs (2.0b) pass through 4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Nine amplifier channels natively run 5.1.4 or 7.1.2; add the pre-outs and an external amplifier and that becomes 7.2.4. And thanks to two MDC slots, it stays upgradeable.

Who is the T 778 suited for? (and who it's not)

Ideal for the ambitious home cinema and demanding custom install – for anyone who wants reference sound, Dirac Live and serious music streaming in one unit. Straight talk: the HDMI ports are 2.0b, not 2.1 – so no 8K or 4K/120Hz (that's what MDC is for). If you're after a simple, budget living-room cinema, you're better served by the T 758 V3i. The T 778 is the reference for those who want the maximum.

Our verdict

NAD's flagship pulls off the rare feat of combining home cinema and high-end hi-fi without a lazy compromise: brutal, clean power, first-class room correction, even phono – and the peace of mind that MDC keeps it future-proof. If you're buying once and buying right, this is what you buy.

Technical Data

• Type: 9-channel AV surround receiver (reference)
• Amplification: HybridDigital (Class D)
• Power: 9× 85 W (all channels, FDP) / 140 W stereo (8 Ω)
• Dynamic power (IHF): 165 W (8 Ω) / 280 W (4 Ω)
• Surround formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio
• Channels: 5.1.4 / 7.1.2 native, 7.2.4 with external amplifier (pre-outs)
• Room correction: Dirac Live (measurement microphone included, upgradeable)
• Phono: built-in MM phono stage
• Streaming: BluOS, AirPlay 2, Tidal/Spotify/Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, MQA (up to 24-bit/192kHz)
• Video: 6× HDMI 2.0b inputs, 2× output; 4K UltraHD passthrough, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 4:4:4/60p
• Operation: large colour touchscreen on the front
• Architecture: MDC (2 slots), Zone 2, RS-232, 12V trigger, IR; Wi-Fi via USB adapter
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 435 × 140 × 430 mm
• Weight: 12.1 kg
• What's included: T 778, Dirac measurement microphone, Wi-Fi USB adapter, remote control, power cable, user manual

Frequently Asked Questions

How many channels and how much power does the T 778 have?
The T 778 has nine HybridDigital amplifier channels at 85 watts each at full drive (140 watts in stereo). That lets it run 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 natively; for 7.2.4 add an external amplifier via the pre-outs. In stereo it plays at hi-fi level.

Does the T 778 support HDMI 2.1 with 8K?
No. The six HDMI inputs are 2.0b and pass through 4K with HDR10 and Dolby Vision – no 8K or 4K/120Hz. Thanks to NAD's modular MDC architecture, though, the T 778 can be upgraded with plug-in modules instead of having to be replaced.

Can I connect a turntable to the T 778?
Yes. Unlike most AV receivers, the T 778 has a built-in MM phono stage. That means you can connect a turntable with a moving-magnet cartridge directly – no separate phono preamp needed.

Why buy the NAD T 778 from HD Zürisee?
Because a reference receiver deserves proper calibration, the right speakers and thoughtful installation – exactly our trade. We plan your system, set up Dirac and install on site. Personal advice in Wädenswil on Lake Zurich.

Goes well with

A reference receiver deserves real speakers: check out our floorstanding speakers and subwoofers. And since the T 778 has a phono stage, a turntable is a great match too – we'll put together the complete system for you.