Traditionally, if you wanted quality home theatre gear you were looking at component-level purchases, but increasingly engineers are able to deliver component quality combined in a single box.

Such is the solution offered by NAD's latest DVD/CD player with integrated surround receiver – the L73.

To begin you get a Progressive Scan compliant DVD/CD player able to play DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD-Video, CD, CD-R and CD-RW, plus MP3 music on CD-R and will also read JPEG files.

Then add a Digital Surround Sound receiver with 5-channels of 45 watts. NAD says the L73, like its predecessor the L70, uses discrete components in all 5-channels offering a level of performance that is normally associated with highly acclaimed full-size separates.

The L73 automatically recognises DTS, Dolby Digital Surround, Pro-Logic II and supports EARS (NAD's exclusive 2-channel music to 5.1 surround sound) and Stereo Enhanced Surround Modes – all aimed at reproducing 2-channel stereo music in a ‘natural ambient' realistic 5.1 surround mode. A line level output is also provided for subwoofer connection.

The player/receiver also features Dolby Virtual Speaker technology creating a surround sound effect from only two front speakers and Dolby Headphone technology, which creates a remarkable holographic surround effect from headphones.

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For those audiophiles who prefer the breathtaking realism of DVD-Audio, the L73 supports Crystal 24 bit 96kHz resolution Digital to Analogue converters complete with full bass management for both 2-channel and multiple channel for DVD-Audio and CD music. To output this without sacrifice to audio quality, the L73 supports the ideal speaker connection: high quality binding posts.

Unlike "Home Theatre in a Box" systems, the NAD L73 allows the complete freedom to choose speakers that fit the listener's décor and suits their taste in sound. To complete the Home Theatre system, connect the L73 to your choice of speakers and TV monitors for a personalised Home Theatre cinema.

The L73 is equally at home in a full Home Theatre setting, or is ideal for, recreation or living room or bedroom system. In addition, the included HTR-L73 universal remote can operate any other IR remote controlled device including TV, VCR, satellite or cable tuner, eliminating the clutter of multiple remote handsets.

Designed to partner quality display monitors, the L73 boasts a Progressive Scan DVD Component output. It also boasts S-Video and Composite outputs while for 2-channel audio it supports a digital optical output for the transfer to a CD recorder or other digital recording device. The L73 is the ultimate statement in flexibility, with its 3 additional video sources, one via the front panel, together with 6-channel audio sources and in-built AM/FM tuner.

Titanium finish, the NAD L73 (RRP $1,299) is covered by a two-year nationwide warranty and is available from authorised NAD dealers and is distributed by www.audioproducts.c om.au