Krell has released its latest and most ambitious surround sound processor to date, a 50lb. behemoth called the Evolution 707. The Krell 707 has a chassis made from aluminum with diamond cut detailing, and stands nearly 10″ high. Four HDMI 1.3 inputs support Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, with two DSPs running in 64-bit dual precision mode providing the digital decoding. The HDMI inputs also support “deep color”, meaning color depth up to 48 bits.
Balanced and single ended outputs accommodate up to 8.4 channels, and there are separate power supplies for the digital and analog circuit paths. In addition to the usual Dolby and DTS surround modes, the 707 also features nine of Krell’s own specialized surround sound modes as well as a “preamp” mode, which bypasses all digital circuitry and routes the analog input directly to the 16-bit balanced volume control, allowing the 707 to emulate a multichannel analog line stage preamp. The Evolution 707 will be available soon and is priced at $30,000.
Words from Krell:
FEATURES
8.4 channels of audio output features two center channel outputs and four subwoofer outputs for maximum flexibility in system design.
Two digital signal processors (DSPs), Crystal CS497004, are employed to perform all surround mode processing.
Supports Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 6.1 ES, DTS 5.1, DTS NEO:6, Dolby Pro Logic II processing as well as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio lossless surround formats over HDMI 1.3, plus nine proprietary Krell Music Surround modes
Digital processing circuitry runs in double precision mode at a word length of 64-bits for the most precise division of frequencies and optimization of the system’s speaker/subwoofer combination.
Twelve output stages are fully balanced and feature Krell Current Mode topology with 1.5 MHz of bandwidth for accurate reproduction of the today’s demanding movie soundtracks. Evolution CAST outputs are supported for all 12 channels.
Current Audio Signal Transmission (CAST) is a proprietary method of sending the audio signal between components in the current domain, from a high impedance transmitter to a low impedance receiver. Krell components connected in Evolution CAST act together as an electrically unified whole, free from the deleterious effects normally imposed by the connecting cables.
Preamp mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes the analog input, stereo or 7.1 multi-channel, directly to the volume control for the purest path possible.
Separate power supplies for digital and analog circuit paths are linear design and feature custom made, low-noise transformers and robust regulation
Remote control options include bi-directional RS-232 communication, mutliple 12 VDC triggers, and a direct RC-5 input.
The all-discrete video circuitry bandwidth provides pristine pass-through of all progressive and wideband high definition signals including HDMI.
Inputs and outputs for composite, S-Video, component, and HDMI 1.3 are supported.
On Screen Display set-up and status are available on all video outputs, all of the time, including upconversion to component and HDMI progressive outputs.
Any SD or HD video standard may be converted up to 1920 x 1080p 60 Hz.
Custom, all-aluminum chassis boasts impeccable fit and finish.
