New Krell Components Feature Updated Technologies And Dramatically Enhanced Styling

1-Feb-01

Krell Industries, Inc., unveiled five new audio components - all featuring the latest technological advancements and ""a dramatic change in cosmetics"" - at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show. Slated for introduction are an updated home theatre surround preamp/processor, a new CD player, a new stereo integrated amplifier, a new five-channel power amplifier and Krell's first DVD player. Together with Krell's new Lossless Acoustic Transducer loudspeaker systems - also debuted at CES - these components highlight Krell's 20th anniversary as a high end audio manufacturer.""Our first KAV Series product, the KAV-300i integrated amplifier, was introduced five years ago,"" said Dan D'Agostino, Krell CEO and Chief Designer. ""And while all our KAV Series products and home theatre processors continue to be leading performers in their respective categories, our ongoing engineering effort has produced significant advances in areas such as circuit topologies, feature sets and component interface design. Our newest components not only incorporate the latest technologies but also feature an entirely new chassis design that, I believe, will appeal to a broad audience of discriminating audiophiles. It's a new look for Krell - one that ties our past with our future. And it makes a bold esthetic statement that complements the outstanding performance of our KAV Series and home theatre products.""New Home Theater StandardThe Home Theater Standard surround preamp/processor serves as the centerpiece in Krell's HEATô (High End Audio Theater) system concept, which applies the fundamental principles of Krell audio engineering to the creation of a fully-integrated high performance multichannel sound system. The product has now been redesigned with an entirely new heavy gauge chassis. It features not only the new KAV Series cosmetics but also a new form factor - now 17 1/4 inches wide, making it more compatible with rack systems.Already known for its highly flexible, modular architecture, the Home Theater Standard now features even greater modularity. More of its internal systems have been moved to plug-in circuit boards, making it easier than ever to upgrade, for example, as new digital surround sound formats are standardized. A Preamp Mode with an analog input pass-through has been added. In this mode, any analog input can be sent directly to the output stage via the volume control, enabling the Krell Home Theater Standard to operate as an analog-only preamplifier when desired.Numerous operational and system interface improvements have also been incorporated. While continuing to provide RS-232, RC-5 baseband and 12V trigger interfaces, the Krell Home Theater Standard now also features an updated PHAST Link communications port in compliance with the Panja Partner Program (P3), which employs Internet (TCP/IP) technology to provide advanced control of networked components. The Home Theater standard is also I2P certified for compatibility with Crestron home automation systems. It thus continues to be an ideal choice for integration into complex custom installations and whole-house music systems.As with the original Home Theater Standard, the new version continues to provide a full complement of advanced features, including Krell Current Modeô, discrete Class A, direct-coupled circuitry with balanced outputs, user-configurable input assignment and system macros, main and remote zone control capability, and broadcast-quality video circuitry. It is fully compatible with DolbyÆ Digital, Dolby Pro LogicÆ and DTSÆ Digital Surroundô modes, and additionally provides Krell Music Surround modes. A new Music Mode - ""Full Range + Sub"" - has been added, enabling enhanced bass reproduction for conventional stereo music listening. Updates to the user interface are said to add new functionality and make operation more intuitive.New KAV-300iL Integrated AmplifierThe KAV-300i, considered by many to be the first true high end integrated amplifier, is now being reintroduced as the KAV-300iL. Beyond the new chassis and cosmetics, the most obvious enhancement is the amplifier's power output, which has been boosted from 150 to 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms (from 300 to 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms). What is less obvious are numerous improvements in circuit topology that, Krell designers say, result in an even higher level of sonic performance.The preamplifier section features Krell's latest Class A direct-coupled design, wherein the entire signal path from input to output is fully balanced. This includes a fully balanced volume control, implemented via fixed resistor attenuators under digital control. The preamp circuits are powered by a dedicated supply with discrete voltage regulators. There is a separate, dedicated power supply for all digital control circuits. All signal switching is accomplished via hermetically-sealed multiple-contact precision relays.The power amplifier section continues to incorporate proprietary Krell output and driver transistors. The KAV-300iL employs eight output and four driver devices per channel to deliver enormous output current capability and assure long-term reliability. The voltage gain stages use Krell Current Mode, discrete Class A, direct-coupled, fully complementary circuitry. The power supply features a massive 800VA toroidal transformer with 55,000 microfarads of filter capacitance to ensure huge power reserves. Extensive power supply filtering and decoupling between stages assure low noise and high stability. In addition, the amplifier circuitry features very low negative feedback.As with the KAV-300i, the new KAV-300iL continues to provide a high level of operational convenience and functional versatility. Both balanced and single-ended inputs are provided for complete compatibility with source components. Krell's Theater Throughputô mode simplifies integration into home theatre systems. The integrated amplifier can be fully operated via a supplied handheld remote control.New KAV-200a/5 Multichannel Power AmplifierNew to the KAV Series lineup, the KAV-200a/5 is a five-channel power amplifier boasting Krell's latest circuit topology and a substantial power output of 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms (400 watts per channel into 4 ohms). Moreover, adjacent channels of the KAV-200a/5 can be bridged to deliver 800 watts into 8 ohms.As with the power amplifier section of the KAV-300iL, the KAV-200a/5 features Krell's newest design enhancements, which assure huge output current capability and deliver further sonic refinement. It employs ten output and four driver devices per channel. The voltage gain stages use Krell Current Mode, discrete Class A, direct-coupled, fully complementary circuitry. The power supply features two massive 1,400VA toroidal transformers with 109,000 microfarads of filter capacitance. Extensive power supply filtering and decoupling between stages assure low noise and high stability. The amplifier circuitry also features very low negative feedback.New KAV-280cd Compact Disc PlayerCombining many of the features of the existing KAV-250cd and KAV-300cd and incorporating the new KAV Series heavy gauge chassis and styling, the KAV-280cd is positioned to deliver CD playback with a new high standard of performance and value. Retained from the earlier models are Krell's Current Mode, discrete Class A, direct-coupled, fully complementary analog circuitry with both balanced and single-ended outputs.The digital-to-analog conversion has also been upgraded with two 24-bit PCM 1704 ultra-high resolution DACs per channel for fully balanced operation. The new transport is fully compatible with CD-R and CD-R/W media. An improved power supply boasts exceptional regulation and linear performance.The KAV-280cd provides both Toslink optical and coaxial digital outputs. 12V trigger input and output terminals are provided for system integration. Also included is a slim handheld remote control.New DVD StandardThe DVD Standard is Krell's first DVD player. It is also the world's first standalone DVD player to incorporate Faroudja Laboratories' newest high performance digital video chips - the FLI2220 Digital Video Enhancer and FLI2200 Digital Video De-Interlacer/Line Doubler. The former employs Faroudja's patented adaptive nonlinear luminance and chrominance processing technology to significantly enhance the reproduction of image detail and sharpness. The latter implements Faroudja's award-winning de-interlacing and post-processing algorithms to provide the highest quality progressive scan video output.The Krell DVD Standard features an advanced transport compatible with DVD, video CD, audio CD and audio CD-R media. It reads both single and dual-layer DVDs. It incorporates a modular design with a motherboard and plug-in circuit cards that can be easily upgraded to accommodate future formats, such as DVD-Audio and D1 digital video. The player's firmware, moreover, can be upgraded via the disc drive.Superb audio performance is assured by the use of 24-bit/192kHz ultra-high resolution digital-to-analog converters. These are implemented in a differential current output configuration, which facilitates the interface with Krell's Current Mode, discrete Class A, direct-coupled, fully complementary analog output circuitry.The Krell DVD Standard provides both Toslink optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. Video output is optimized for solid-state video display technologies, including plasma, LCD, DLPô and D-ILAô. The progressive scan output employs triple 10-bit DACs and provides a choice of RGB or component interfaces - the former via BNC connectors and the latter via RCA-type phono or DB25 connectors. A component output, employing 2x oversampling and a 10-bit video DAC, is provided for interlaced scan video output, as are standard composite and S-Video outputs. High End Audio For The New Millenium""We are celebrating the start of our third decade as a high end audio manufacturer,"" said Mr. D'Agostino. ""We are extremely proud of our accomplishments in these past twenty years - our products have established Krell as 'The Leader In Audio Engineering.' Together with our exciting new line of Lossless Acoustic Transducers, our new KAV Series and Home Theater Standard components are a great way to launch our next twenty years. Yet, they provide but a glimpse of what we hope to accomplish in high end audio in the new millenium.""Prices And AvailabilityHome Theater Standard: MSRP $6,500, available January 2001KAV-300iL Integrated Amplifier: MSRP $3,250, available January 2001KAV-300rL AM/FM Stereo Receiver: MSRP $4,000, available second quarter 2001KAV-200a/5 Multichannel Power Amplifier: MSRP $7,500, available January 2001KAV-280cd Compact Disc Player: MSRP $3,500, available February 2001DVD Standard: MSRP $7,500, available second quarter 2001For more information on Krell or any Krell product, visit www.krellonline.com.

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