What You Need to Know
What is the T 778, and what does it do?
The NAD T 778 is a 9-channel reference AV receiver. It combines surround processing, room correction, video switching, and amplification for nine speakers in one chassis. Capable of 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X immersive home cinema, with BluOS streaming on board for high-resolution two-channel music.
Released in 2020, the T 778 marked a wholly new platform for NAD. The headline change was a large color touchscreen dominating the front panel — replacing rows of buttons and knobs. Underneath, NAD's HybridDigital Class D amplification delivers the kind of cool-running, both-channels-driven power the brand built its reputation on.
It's designed for serious home cinema enthusiasts who want musicality and movie performance from the same receiver — and for custom installers who need a flexible, future-upgradeable centerpiece.
Why does it matter? How does it improve your listening?
Stereo power output is 140 watts per channel into 8 Ω and 170 watts into 4 Ω. Full Disclosure Power — NAD's conservative, all-channels-driven rating across the full audio band — is 9 × 85 W. Dynamic power reaches 165 W into 8 Ω and 280 W into 4 Ω. Damping factor exceeds 300.
HybridDigital amplification uses Class D output stages combined with refined analog input circuitry. The benefit is high efficiency, low heat, and consistent power across all nine channels — important when an Atmos soundtrack demands sustained output from rear height channels.
Dirac Live Limited Bandwidth (up to 500 Hz) is included with a calibration microphone. Dirac is widely regarded as one of the more effective room-correction systems available — measuring your room's acoustic response and applying digital correction to flatten frequency response and tighten timing. A Full Bandwidth upgrade is available from Dirac.
BluOS streaming is built in for native Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready support. MQA decoding is included. Up to 24-bit / 192 kHz playback over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Who is this best for?
You want a reference 9-channel AV receiver that takes both music and movies seriously — without the bloated feature lists of typical home theater receivers.
You're building a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X home cinema and want consistent, conservatively rated power across all nine channels.
You want effective room correction — the T 778 includes Dirac Live, which many reviewers and audiophiles consider best-in-class.
You stream serious quantities of music — BluOS, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready are built in.
You're a custom installer — RS-232, IR I/O, 12V triggers, and IP control make the T 778 integration-ready. NAD's MDC architecture allows future digital format upgrades.
How does it connect to your system?
Video: six HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs, all HDMI 2.0b. Full bandwidth (18 Gbps) supports 4K UHD pass-through with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Note: the T 778 ships with HDMI 2.0b, not HDMI 2.1 — no 4K/120 Hz or 8K passthrough.
Audio: nine channels of HybridDigital amplification with conservative speaker binding posts on the rear. Multiple subwoofer outputs allow flexible bass management. 11.2 channels of multichannel pre-out let you bridge in external amplification for more demanding speakers.
Analog inputs: two stereo RCA inputs, a phono stage with grounding terminal for turntables, and a front-panel headphone output. Digital inputs include two optical and two coaxial.
Network: Gigabit Ethernet plus Wi-Fi. Bluetooth aptX HD lets you stream from phones, tablets, or laptops.
Custom install: RS-232 serial control, 12V trigger in/out, IR in/out, and IP control. Rack-mountable. Compatible with leading control systems (Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, etc.).
Professional Reviews
AVForums — Editor's Choice Award 2020
AVForums called the T 778 a really impressive AV receiver delivering balanced, nuanced performance improved further by the more user-friendly Dirac EQ system. The publication praised Dirac's effectiveness at tightening the soundstage, adding focus, and creating cohesive crossovers — resulting in a dynamic, exciting sound system that takes home theater to a higher level.
Home Cinema Choice — 4.5/5 Stars, 2020
Home Cinema Choice described the T 778 as a refreshing new take on AV receiver design via its touchscreen interface, packed with useful features including Dirac Live. The review called the T 778 a commendable performer, with the touchscreen described as a game-changer for AVR design going forward.
HomeTheaterHifi.com
HomeTheaterHifi praised the T 778's neutral, honest sound, conservative power ratings, and MDC modular construction. The reviewer highlighted that NAD's reputation for transparent amplification carries through into the AVR category — with Dirac Live and BluOS extending the receiver's flexibility well beyond traditional home theater duties.
Earned Recognition
The NAD T 778 has earned recognition from leading AV publications and industry organizations.
- AVForums Best Home AV Products 2020 — Editor's Choice Award — AVForums' annual honors for the best AV products of the year.
- TNT Top New Technology Award — ISE 2020 — Recognition at Integrated Systems Europe, the world's premier exhibition for professional AV and systems integration.
See It in Action
NAD's official T 778 video walks through the receiver's HybridDigital amplification, touchscreen interface, Dirac Live room correction, and MDC modular construction.
Pairs Well With
Building your home theater? Here are some great companions.
- 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 speaker package — The T 778 can drive a full Dolby Atmos setup. Browse our speakers.
- One or more subwoofers — Multiple subwoofer outputs allow flexible bass management. Browse our subwoofers.
- A turntable — The built-in phono stage handles MM cartridges. See our turntables.
- Speaker cables and HDMI cables — Clean cable runs protect the T 778's measured performance. See speaker cables and other cables.
- Power conditioner — A clean AC supply lowers the noise floor across your home theater. Browse our power conditioners.
Features & Specifications
9 Channels of HybridDigital Class D Amplification
Nine channels of NAD's HybridDigital amplification — 140 W per channel into 8 Ω stereo, 9 × 85 W Full Disclosure Power (all channels driven, full bandwidth, rated distortion). Dynamic power 165 W into 8 Ω. Cool-running Class D output stages combined with refined analog input circuitry.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Immersive Surround
Full support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround formats. The 9-channel amplification handles 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 native Atmos configurations; 7.1.4 with external amplification through the multichannel pre-outs.
Dirac Live Room Correction Included
Dirac Live Limited Bandwidth (up to 500 Hz) is included with a calibration microphone. Dirac Live measures the room and applies digital correction for more accurate tonal balance and improved imaging. The system supports up to three Dirac Live correction filters for A/B comparison. Full Bandwidth upgrade available from Dirac.
BluOS Streaming Built In
BluOS is NAD and Bluesound's high-resolution streaming platform. Native support for Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready. MQA decoding built in. Up to 24-bit / 192 kHz playback over Wi-Fi or Gigabit Ethernet.
Large Color Touchscreen Front Panel
Where most AV receivers cover the front panel with buttons and knobs, the T 778 uses a large color touchscreen instead. Displays album artwork, incoming signal formats, and the full setup menu — letting you make adjustments without an on-screen display.
MDC Modular Design Construction
The T 778 is built on NAD's MDC architecture. Two MDC slots accept modular cards as new formats and technologies emerge, extending the receiver's useful life. NAD has used MDC architecture to deliver post-purchase upgrades for over a decade.
6 HDMI Inputs, 4K UHD Pass-Through
Six HDMI 2.0b inputs and two outputs support 4K UHD pass-through with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Full 18 Gbps bandwidth handles any current 4K source. Note: HDMI 2.0b does not support 4K/120 Hz or 8K — both require HDMI 2.1.
Custom Installation Ready
RS-232 serial control, IP control, 12V trigger in/out, and IR in/out. Compatible with leading control systems (Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC). Rack-mountable. The T 778 was designed with custom installers in mind.
MM Phono Stage
The built-in MM phono stage handles moving-magnet cartridges directly. Input sensitivity 6.2 mV, SNR over 80 dB. Vinyl playback without an external phono preamp.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Amplifier Performance | |
| Channels | 9 channels, HybridDigital Class D |
| Stereo Power Output | 140 W into 8 Ω (21.5 dBW); 170 W into 4 Ω (22.3 dBW) |
| Full Disclosure Power (all channels driven) | 9 × 85 W |
| Dynamic Power | 165 W into 8 Ω (22.2 dBW); 280 W into 4 Ω (24.5 dBW) |
| THD at Rated Power | <0.08% |
| IM Distortion (at 1/3 rated power) | <0.03% |
| Damping Factor | >300 (20 Hz – 1 kHz, 8 Ω) |
| Frequency Response | +0.3 / -0.8 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, ref. 1 kHz) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >100 dB (ref. rated power, 8 Ω, A-weighted) |
| Surround Processing | |
| Surround Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, plus legacy formats |
| Maximum Configuration | 7.1.4 (with external amplification via pre-outs) |
| Room Correction | Dirac Live Limited Bandwidth (up to 500 Hz); calibration mic included; Full Bandwidth upgrade available |
| Streaming & Connectivity | |
| Streaming Platforms | BluOS, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, Roon Ready, plus internet radio; MQA decoding |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | aptX HD |
| Video | |
| HDMI Inputs | 6 × HDMI 2.0b (18 Gbps) |
| HDMI Outputs | 2 × HDMI 2.0b |
| Video Pass-Through | 4K UHD with HDR10 and Dolby Vision |
| Inputs & Outputs | |
| Analog Inputs | 2 × stereo RCA, 1 × MM phono (with ground) |
| Digital Inputs | 2 × optical, 2 × coaxial |
| Outputs | 9 × speaker binding posts, 11.2 multichannel pre-outs, dual subwoofer outputs, Zone 2 RCA outs, headphone |
| Expansion | 2 × MDC modular slots |
| Custom Install | |
| Control Ports | RS-232 serial, IP control, 12V trigger in/out, IR in/out |
| Rack Mountable | Yes |
| Front Panel | Large color touchscreen |
| Power & Physical | |
| Standby Power | <0.5 W (full standby) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 435 × 140 × 430 mm (gross) |
| Net Weight | 12.1 kg (26.7 lbs) |
| Warranty | 2 years, parts and labor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What else do I need to use the T 778?
You'll need speakers, speaker cables, source components (Blu-ray/4K player, streaming box, game console, TV), HDMI cables, and a network connection. The T 778 handles processing, room correction, video switching, and amplification — just connect sources to HDMI and speakers to the binding posts.
Is the T 778 a good match for my speakers?
Matching depends on speaker count, sensitivity, impedance, and room size. The T 778's 9 × 85 W (FDP, all channels driven) handles a wide range of home theater speakers. Call us at 800-942-0220 and we'll help you build a complete system.
What are the differences between Class A, Class A/B, and Class D amplifiers? Which one is this?
The T 778 uses HybridDigital — NAD's Class D design. Class A keeps the output transistors fully on (clean, hot, inefficient). Class A/B is the traditional analog blend used in many AVRs.
Class D switches the output transistors rapidly. The benefit is high efficiency, low heat, and consistent power across all nine channels — important when an Atmos soundtrack demands sustained output from multiple speakers simultaneously.
Does this have BluOS streaming built in?
Yes. BluOS is NAD and Bluesound's hi-res streaming platform, built directly into the T 778 — no add-on card required. Native support for Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready. The free BluOS Controller app handles everything.
Does this support Dirac Live room correction?
Yes. Dirac Live Limited Bandwidth (up to 500 Hz) is included with a calibration microphone. The T 778 supports up to three Dirac correction filters so you can compare target curves. A Full Bandwidth upgrade is available from Dirac directly as an optional license.
Does this support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
Yes. The T 778 fully supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround formats. The 9-channel amplification handles 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 native; 7.1.4 with external amplification via the multichannel pre-outs.
Does it support HDMI 2.1, 4K/120, or 8K?
No. The T 778's HDMI ports are HDMI 2.0b (18 Gbps) — supporting 4K UHD pass-through with HDR10 and Dolby Vision. HDMI 2.0b does not support 4K/120 Hz or 8K, both of which require HDMI 2.1.
Can I use it for two-channel music as well as movies?
Yes. NAD designed the T 778 to take both music and movies seriously. Stereo power is 140 W into 8 Ω, with built-in BluOS streaming, MM phono, and the same Dirac Live room correction the surround channels use. Many owners use the T 778 as their primary music source.
Is it ready for custom installation?
Yes. RS-232 serial, IP control, 12V triggers, and IR in/out are all on board. Rack-mountable. Compatible with major control systems (Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC). NAD's MDC architecture allows post-purchase module upgrades as new formats emerge.
What's in the Box
- NAD T 778 AV Surround Sound Receiver
- Remote control
- Dirac Live calibration microphone
- AC power cord
- Quick Setup Guide
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