Build

Sound

I bought the IA-1Z from an auction for $925. This more than rivals the $2300 retail price. Be smart and shop around before you pay so much. That is, unless you want the support a local supplier can provide (in my book, it isn't worth the $1400 difference !)

In this case, I must recommend that the buyer make sure this product is BETTER than other products in the same price category, or lower. In my case, I was surprised to find that the sound was no better than the Sony 30 ES I already own, which cost $800 retail.

I had previously auditioned the Nak AV10 and thought that the IA-1Z would rival it (even though I had not heard the latter yet). But, it doesn't seem so.

So, be careful before you pick this model. The build quality is really high, but the sound isn't on par with the (retail) price.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 30 ES, Nakamichi AV10, NAD T770

Sound quality

None

In the past year I have relied on this site to buy several items over the internet and if used correctly it can be very helpful. Be careful of the OVERALL section though. I have seen too many reviews like CalRaleigh's that make no sense. He loves the AC-3 sound but hates the reciever because it has no functions??????? He must have bought this reciever to drive instead of listen to, and in that case I would agree with him. Just make sure to read the reviews and do not rely on the # of stars.
Now for the review.......I like this reciever very much. It is clean and clear in both stereo and surround. I will gladly give up functions for sound quality. It does have all the basic functions that most people need. The channels can be adjusted for volume and sound delay. I would give this reciever a buy for anyone looking to spend up to $2,500. Over this price you may be able to get a better product.

Similar Products Used:

Newcastle R925

sound quality, ease of use

Not as many "gadgets" as some of the newer models.

I recently picked up this unit on UBID for $900 which is considerably below dealer price (1400).

This unit has excellent sound quality in both stereo and Pro-logic, AC-3. I am very impressed with the stereo sound.

The controls are so simple to use, the manual almost wasn't required. I also think it looks like a well built unit.

My only dislikes about the unit are that it is not as full featured as some of the newer stuff out there now and I hope it does not become obsolete because I would hate to give it up. Features I miss are DTS, 5.1 input, no component switching. Right now I don't need any of them though, we'll see how it goes.

I really don't care for all of those special effects, give me AC-3 for my movies and 2 channel stereo for my music. Also, I kinda wonder about DVD audio, if I can't take it in my car I don't want to but duplicate CD's and DVD's. Come on manufacturer's let's stick to a common platform. Remember Beta Max!!

I am currently running it with a set of Boston Acoustics speakers and toshiba 3109 DVD player. I am looking to upgrade my speakers now.

I am looking at Linn, Monitor Audio, B & W, Vienna Acoustics. Any suggestions??

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR-19, Nak AV-10

This truly is a great "clean" receiver! I have had mine for a number of years now and am parting with it to upgrade to an A/V unit.
Anyone want to buy my 1A?

(See my review under Integrated Amplifiers Nak IA-1Z)

I have posted a review under the IA-1Z integrated amplifier section.

Hopefully someone will see this and answer these two questions:

I would like to know how I can see if the DTS upgrade is
1) installed
and
2) working properly.

My e-mail is studx66@hotmail.com

Thanks!!!

(PS my Value Rating is based on what I paid, although I think even at twice the price it would be a decent deal, considering the build and sound qualities).

I am choosing a new AC 3 system to upgrade from my present pro logic Denon/NHT system and checked out the Nakamichi Integrated.
Compared with separates, ADCOM, B&K and with existing Ac3 receivers, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc and find this Nak to be the best available AC 3 short of spending over $3000 on separates. The 80 watts X 5 stated output is conservative, 140 X 5 is available in transients with uncolored, natural sound.

The preamp is no bones, clean short signal paths and Dolby decoding is through Motorola chip. I found a store that will sell it top me at $1600 if speakers purchased at same time. For this price, it blows away all competition.

Easily expanded with additional amps with multi-source, multi room, dual remote operation.

I thought for sure I was going out to buy a Yamaha DSP-A1 .. well, that was until I heard the Nak IA-1z. Does it have half the "features" of the Yamaha? No way. Does it have the two extra "effects" speaker outputs? Nope. I say: Who needs it? The Nak truly blows away the Yamaha in reproducing music. I found the Nak to be the best compromise for an all-in-one system. I wanted great stereo music listening, but at the same time I wanted great home theater sound with both DD and DTS. Nothing in this price range comes close. Give it a listen, you'll be impressed. In fact, listen to the Nak, then (if you can) listen to the Yamaha, you'll hear the difference.

Yet another person suckered in by the Yamaha DSP-A1. We got the A1 after considerable research. It seems that no one on the net has anything bad to say about the DSP-A1. Either that, or all the owners are so ashamed of spending big bucks and getting lots of useless features and little sound.
After less than 30 days with the A1, we replaced it with the IA-1z (DTS). This unit is a musical marvel. I can actually listen to music in stereo mode without too much complaining. The Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC-3) is also superb. The unit has no DSP effects, but that does not detract from its grand sound stage with Dolby Digital. Same can be said for the DTS mode.

The Dolby Pro Logic mode is another story. Here, I feel the unit is a little on the inferior side. There is little dimension to the sound field produced by
the IA-1z in this mode. I want to nit-pick the Dolby Pro Logic mode since this is the mode we use the most for watching normal NTSC broadcast).

This unit has an audible floor noise in Dolby Pro Logic, one that was not present with either of my previous two A/V receivers (Onkyo Integra AV810Pro and Yamaha DSP-A1). The presense of this floor noise might be attributed to the extra sensority capabilities of the IA-1z's input section. If it is, then I need a new DSS satellite receiver.

Basically, when a TV station is not broadcasting sound, there is something on the order of quiet hush, much like the effect of a dusting of snow, covering the floor of the room.

The bare bones switching of Audio and Video sources is at times limiting (only 1 VCR input), but the signal quality is superb. The gain adjustments are tonally transparent. This is the way to do it, not with N-way ganged potentiometer.

Caveat.
DTS can only be decoded from DVD/DBS input (either coax or optical).
The DTS decoding is glitchy. When you stop and start a DTS track, a loud click/pop will be heard. This is the sound of the DAC latching in the data. I wonder if Nakamichi will fix this or not. (BTW, I was told the DTS was an after thought for the IA-1z and CA-1). If one plays a movie from start to finish in DTS, a perspective owner will not notice the switching artifact.

The IA-1z does not automatically detect digital datastream changes. So your source switches from PCM to Bitstream, really bad sounds come out of your speakers (potential speaker damage).

Hats off to the IA-1z. Excellent sound in a convenient package with a few operating quirks.

I was going to purchase a Yamaha DSP1A and thought I had a great deal. I went out and listened to the NAK 1A-1z and realized what a mistake I was making. This receiver delivers such fine quality signal without any flaws! It runs myAR-1s impeccibly! I picked this baby up at www.cyberteria.com for a song at $1779.95!

easy input output

lack of funtion, bad manual

I wonder why everyone like that product so much.. it basic got no function. only 2. AC3 and prologic. sound is really good. bad is.. I have use any other functon.. so I have to end up buying a EQ sound processor.. I admit. the AC3 is really awesome when watching DVD.. but I want more function.
like a receiver..No bad I can't return this unit.. Any interested in buy this unit let me know I will to sell it for $1000.00. I paid more then that.. just 3 weeks old.
Well if they any secret to make this receive sound better please let me know.. Regeat buying this unit.. I bought it just because everyone like it in here.. bough it online that why I didn't know.. NO Return Grrrrr.