Okay just bought one of these to hook up my old school Laserdisc but decided to try it with my 2 channel stereo setup. OMG this thing is awesome for 2 channel audio it's not going onto Home theater use. I was running A CR 2020 Yamaha and l can tell you this NAD is just as nice sounding plus it's a little warmer on the top end. If you can find one buy it!!

None at this price

Not used for AV but amazing clarity and warm sound from the stereo phono - which is all I use it for now connected to my Turntable It may be old, but it’s a corker

Nothing I can recall from when it was used as a surround amp

It's an absolute beauty from the gd'ol days. Well starting from the downsides, the Surround sound receiver as they call it has the very basic in terms of the surround effects that are offered by any contemporary product out there. This offers only the Dolby Pro Logic which is safe to say is a thing from the Pre History as compared to the effects and technology available today like Atmos. The other effect is Hall which is not bad especially if Music is your thing. Really hands down this is not a product for the AV enthusiast. Although for 2 channel / stereo sound this is an absolute treat. The depth of sound, stereo separation and tons of power to handle even the most demanding drivers are what I think makes this an equipment worth reckoning with. Well that said the AV716 sounds warm at the start, however, if were to really start sweating the transformer and pump up the volume (better try that in one enormous room or an open space) towards even the 50% mark you'll notice those extra lows gone and it all goes more towards neutrality, but Boy do this 13.5kg beast display power...For starters.. it blew my Tannoy Mercury V4 while playing Free Tibet - Hilight Tribe at a mere 50% volume. Now the speakers handle 100 watts RMS constant power and goes up to twice at peak levels and the amp outputs only 80 watts RMS per channel in stereo mode.. In my opinion this is a great amp for music. It will please any audience that may prefer a Lil warm but low decibel level performances and as well the Party guy out there.

Not the best AV capabilities.

I have used close to 50 different brands and models of Amps preamps in different configurations for over 40yrs.Including equipment such as Rotel,NAD,Luxman,Quad,Sima ECT,and the NAD Av-716 has by far outperformed all of the previous equipment.It has power to spare,a very warm sounding unit.I don't use it for surround sound,just good old 2 channel.I was very fortunate to pick this unit for under 250$ off of a very reputable Canadian site.I've tested it with Energy 22 monitors,Teil C2.1,and a few more speakers.I have yet to any sonic problems what so ever!! Wether your just a beginner or an Audiophile,this unit will not dissapoint!! Thumbs up to New AucisticDemensions for an Excellent Receiver!! Money is not always the answer.Use your ears and enjoy!

I read all the reviews before buying the amp. Given the tendency towards hyperbole in the audio area I was well prepared to be disappointed. But I wasn't. It's an absolutely wonderful sounding amp. Don't have much interest in it's surround sound/home theatre, just plain stereo. This amp excels. I have Luxman, beats it hands down, Yamaha, doesn't get a look in, Sansui no show, Pioneer, doesn't compare and even a German Dual amp, need I say more? Drives Polks, Kefs and Wharfedales beautifully. A great amp without question.

I can't say it enough how Absolutely PERFECT the sound is from top to bottom in stereo mode, comparable to $5,000+ amps. Imaging depth and width, timing, phase coherence, musicality. Does what good Hi-Fi should do, brings out the emotion and lets you just enjoy the music and not analyze it.

Surround mode only in mono.

If you love 2 channel stereo Hi-fi then this amp is utterly and completely amazing and the closest amp I have heard to perfection, tight bass and perfect rhythm & timing, 3D imaging, fine details but still very smooth and musical sound, I've compared the NAD AV716 to hundreds of different amps worth over $5,000 including Levinson, Metaxas, Musical Fidelity, McCormack, Arcam, Quad, Marantz, Pioneer, Rotel, Yamaha, Onkyo, Burson etc and I can say the NAD sounds better than most, some might do certain things slightly better but overall the NAD AV716 wins, especially at raising the hairs on your arms and bringing the emotion. I think of the amp as an amazing stereo amp with surround capabilities, as a surround amp it's just okay with mono surround processing. I have used the amp with Yamaha NS-1000 speakers which are very neutral and revealing, Mission 733 nice & musical, Mordaunt Short MS10 also great little speakers. For me it's the best NAD amp i've heard since the NAD 3020 which is a nice amp also, but not in the same league. If mine were lost I would pay $1000 for one in good condition and still feel like I got a bargain. Luckily you can get them really cheap. I would give this amp 10 stars out of 5 if I could.

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson, Musical Fidelity, McCormack.

For a no frills surround sound amp - you can't beat the NAD AV716. For the lack of buttons and gadgets you get premium handling of sound and exceptional delivery. Not to mention that I bargained the price down to about $400 - I've seen this baby retail for $600 and up. If you're just getting into the sterero component market - this is a great amp to start with to get your feet wet.