[wood930]

Dan mentioned in Stereophile April issue that they were developing a combi player. Anyone have any idea when? My guess on price is $12


Thanks

 

[jbm007]

HDTV magazine had a blurb this month issue about the player


Thought the cost was $3500.00


No availability date.

 

[dave7]

$3500 would be great!


Would it have HDMI output?


Anyone have any details on it?

 

[KeithR]

Why would you want HDMI out on an SACD player? You can't output SACD then.

 

[dave7]

Why couldn't you output SACD if the player had HDMI?


I would want HDMI just for video really.


Since the HTS 7.1 only has an analogue multi-channel input (for now), I would assume Krell would make their analogue output top-notch in order to make it a good mate to the 7.1. iLink would be nice to have to, but for the ability to upgrade components in the future without replacing the player.


It is my understanding that HDMI can output 480i and up, whereas DVI is more complicated for 480i, plus it seems that HDMI is surpassing DVI in general acceptance. So my thought is any digital video output (since I have a DLP projector now) is desired, but I would prefer HDMI. Its ability to carry audio as well is kinda moot to me right now since I use a Front Projector. But down the road...who knows.

 

[dave7]

Keith,


I am of the school of thought that if you have a great analogue section in a player, why output in digital and bypass it.


Isn't that the one of the advantages of having separate components?


Since I have a HTS 7.1, and like it very much, and the DVD Standard and SACD Standard players have a very good reputations, I would expect a Krell Universal Player to at least be as good as these other components. I just wish we had a time frame for when this player would be introduced.

 

[KeithR]

My assumption is that you wanted to use HDMI for both audio and video, hence my original response.


I hate the transport in the SACD standard---it is very "standard", and a piece of junk.

 

[KeithR]

oh yeah, the SACD standard not universally known as a great player, from friends and reviews....

 

[dave7]

I have not heard the SACD Standard for myself. I read a review somewhere/sometime while traveling (I travel a lot) where the reviewer, who owned a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista SACD player, thought the Krell compared favorably to the Tri-Vista. As I remember it, this review was favorable to the Krell. I simply hadn't heard anything bad about the player, but I really hadn't heard much at all either. I don't think it is even on Krell's website.


Regarding HDMI; it just seems more flexible for the future compared to DVI...that's all. I'd take either though, especially if it had a very good deinterlacer and scaler built-in.


Anyway Keith, it sounds like you're not much of a fan of Krell...at least for source components. "Hate" is a strong word.


What have you compared it to?


My ongoing problem with various components is the lack of ability to try things in my own system. I hate stringing along a sales guy then having to tell them "I don't like...take it back," even if I had the opportunity to do such a try-out. But I do believe that a side-by-side comparison is the only way to evaluate this stuff.


Case in point: when I got my HTS 7.1, I had an Anthem AVM-20. I got a killer deal on the Krell and fully intended to flip it on AudiogoN or Ebay for a healthy profit. Even when I got the Krell home, I was not impressed by the unit. For one thing, it was much lighter in weight than the Anthem (the first thing you notice when you pick it up). However, my tune changed dramatically once I hooked it up. The expanded sound from the Krell was a huge difference right away. And that was using the analogue pass-through! I cannot explain any of it, but it was a fair back-to-back comparison, using the same interconnects and other components. Thus, I kept the Krell and unloaded the Anthem.


Many AVS Forum members advised me against the Krell saying it was a waist and implying it would be no better, or even worse than the Anthem. This was not the case.


I hope that a Krell universal player would be good. I at least would like to audition one for myself before passing judgment.

 

[KeithR]

I like the Krell HTS 7.1, and almost bought one. I have no beefs with Krell.


The Phillips transport (used by many companies including Cary) is a piece of junk. It isn't stable, is a plastic piece, and generally isn't as well built as Teac and Sony transports.


For instance, my cary arrived and the tray was hanging out--if you picked it up, it would hang out with ease.


I'm worried because even Wadia is using it with the new 302...just not too many companies selling transports anymore. Pioneers "stable platter" was excellent, but no longer in production.

 

[dave7]

Is the Phillips transport what denon uses in the 5900, and Krell in the DVD Standard?


Who uses the Teac and/or Sony Transports? The Teac itself looks to be quite nice, but people either love it or hate it. Once again, I have not heard it.


I would be pretty bent too if my new unit arrived with the drawer hanging out.


Maybe this isn't the place for this question, but has anyone ever heard the Muse player? ( http://www.museelectronics.com/11.html )


Back to Krell - My friend is a dealer, I will inquire about any details on the new player tomorrow.

 

[jbm007]

You are assuming that Sony would allow direct digital output from HDMI.


Sony will not make a combo player. Kind of like admitting that there is a dark side out there.


God forbid we could have true 7.1 digital output from a SACD player.


I don't see it even with HDMI for along time.


I hope I am wrong...............

 

[dave7]

If the analogue out is really good, who needs digital high rez out anyway.


I heard Krell will try to show their new player at the show(s) in the fall/winter. They are definately working on one though.