Krell introduces their $15,000 Blu-ray player

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by ajvdbg

Like what? Do you think the PQ will be $14.5K better than a run-o-the-mill player? And before you go on a rant that there is more to it than PQ, ultimately this is what the user is looking for in Blu-ray...different than hi-end audio where there usually is a difference...

No, I certainly don't think the PQ would be 14.5K better than say the Oppo.

I would never spend this much money on a piece of equipment, but it seems to have all the bells and whistles, unlike that Goldmund BD player a while back.

This unit was designed with people who demand the best of the best, not just in performance, but design and build quality as well.

I have the Oppo BDP-83SE, and it's a very fine piece, and it looks good too, but
you have to be honest, it's nowhere near the Krell player.

I am pretty sure you won't have noise issues with that machine (I find the Oppo a bit noisy when searching for a BD and stuff).

All the components are made from the finest materials, and I don't think it's manufactured in China either!?

It's just a different league. What the means in practice remains to be seen and heard though!
I agree that performance is the most crucial part, but there is so much more than goes into a unit like the Evolution 555.

I am not defending its price tag, which is clearly completely over the top, but it's not aimed at us.

Those who already have other Krell components will probably consider this one, and it looks like a very capable player, future proof for 3-D, the finest Audio DACS, built like a tank, impressive design (a little cold for my taste though), Dual HDMI, the finest video processor, BD-Live with 1GB on board, etc.

Well, just read here:
Engineered to maximize performance from today’s large format flat panel and front projectors, the Evolution 555 offers home entertainment enthusiasts unprecedented levels of performance, flexibility and upgradeability. Featuring the acclaimed 12-bit Sigma Design VXP technology, this superior engine delivers the world’s highest quality video processing algorithms for noise reduction, de-interlacing, scaling, image enhancement and frame rate conversion. Incorporating industry-leading compression artifact reduction, the VXP recognizes object edges and removes mosquito noise to produce crisp, clear images. Detail enhancement seeks out underlying image information bringing unprecedented texture, sharpness and clarity to images. 3D and 2D noise reduction which adaptively applies both temporal and spatial noise reduction produces the clearest picture while maintaining fine image details.
The Evolution 555 includes extensive aspect ratio control including a vertical stretch feature for systems employing 2.35:1 Constant Image Height display systems. Vertical stretch eliminates the black bars at the top and bottom of the image without adding distortion, or artifacts. It is most beneficial for those users of Cinema Scope screens and projectors with anamorphic lenses, as the processing is done in the digital domain.
In addition to its ultimate quality video, Evolution 555 is a Profile 2.0 Ready (BD Live) Blu-ray/DVD player with 1GB of onboard memory. An SD card slot allows for expanded memory for BD Live and Bonus View movie titles, as well as playback options for photos and music files.

Onboard Ethernet Port and Slot For Additional Wireless Card for Advanced Internet Connectivity and More
For the highest level of connectivity to the world of exciting current-day as well as future entertainment enhancements, the Evolution 555 features an onboard Ethernet port that allows for Internet connectivity, firmware updates, BD Live interactivity and IP control. Additionally, an 802.11b/g/n wireless card can be added to perform the same functions. This network capability also provides access to online streaming and media files resident on a home network.
Dual, assignable, HDMI outputs are provided with the option of full audio and video output to 2 systems, or dedicate one HDMI for audio, the other for video – this option promotes a high level of jitter reduction for both signal paths.

Upgradeable to HDMI 1.4
The Evolution 555 is fully HDMI 1.3 compliant but with a direct fix on the future, the Evolution 555 includes an upgrade path to the future that makes it quite literally the most advanced and “future-ready” source component. Already equipped with an HDMI 1.4 transmitter, the Sigma VXP video processor is located on a plug-in card for in-field upgrade to HDMI 1.4 with full support for 3D, 4K x 2K Resolution Support, and HDMI Ethernet Channel.
Sound Quality
For the ultimate in audio performance, the Evolution 555 features the ESS Technology 32-bit Sabre Reference DACs connected to Krell differential Krell Evolution CAST analog circuitry. CAST, which is short for Current Audio Signal Transmission, is a proprietary method of sending audio signals between components in the current domain. Krell components connected in Evolution CAST act together as an electrically unified whole, free from the deleterious effects normally imposed by connecting cables. Balanced outputs and single ended outputs are also included for use with conventional preamplifiers.

Doesn't sound too bad, eh?

I really think it wouldn't be fair to compare it to the Lexicon BD-30, and to simply bash it because it's not $99.

If the design and all these features are worth the price to YOU is up to you.