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REVIEW KRELL HOME THEATER STANDARD(LONG)
Posted by eric bee [IP: 152.206.136.73] on July 23, 1999 at 20:04:15
Using Mozilla/4.5 [en] (Win98; I):
Being one of the first people to own the KRELL HTS, I feel compelled to share my views with others who are in the market for Home Theater Preamp/Processors. Firstly, it is built like all other KRELL products, with a brushed aluminum faceplate and the famous "blue" light indicating power is on. It is the most simple and least "flexible" processor I have ever used. Compared to a Theta, you need no learning time for the KRELL at all. When I say least "flexible" what I mean is that there are:
NO speaker delays ( the HTS calculates them, see below)
NO crossover settings ( i.e 40hz, 80hz, etc.)
NO audio delays ( in the event you have a lip sync problem on a specific DVD)
NO DSP modes ( i.e. logic 7, circle surround, panarama, church etc.)
NO ability to change audio preferences in digital sources ( see below)
NO ability to change MENU settings without the television ON
NO 24/96 music capabilities
Let me try and explain KRELL's position as it was explained to me. KRELL is a traditional company that doesn't "alter" the source signal. In theory, that's exactly how I feel. However, in this case it is a problem for me, as I feel it would be for most. Let me explain. For example, if you have an older DVD, one that was recorded in MONO or 1 channel, the KRELL will only play back that DVD the way it was recorded. (in MONO or 1 channel) ALL other processors allow you to use some sort of DSP processing (digital signal processing) to turn that signal into STEREO, PRO-LOGIC or something other that MONO. Two such examples occurred when playing 7 samurai's and Bad Lieutenant on DVD. To me, I find it ridiculous that with today's technology, we should be forced to experience listening to DVD audio on technology that is 20-40 years old. If one wants that, it should be their choice: retain the audio as it was originally recorded or "alter" the signal and enjoy enveloping audio. I am also one of those "rebels" who enjoys digitally re-mastered, non-grainy video transfers but, hey that's me.
The KRELL has 2 "music modes" that can be selected from a pre-set menu. Once "Music 1" and "Music 2" are configured, they can only be changed through a complex layer of menus with the television on. ALL menu selections can only be operated with the television on. ( I guess that's why its called the Home Theater Standard) These music modes are pre-set, meaning that they cannot be altered. If you like the sound of "FRONT ROW" but would like a little more rear channel sound, you cannot re-configure it. You can, however, alter any audio source from the front panel or the remote by using balance, center, rear +/-.
I suppose, you could give yourself more rear channel boost by selecting the music mode and manually increasing the rear volume each time you play a CD/DVD, but, that's a real pain.
The only really annoying "bug" that I have found is what's known as the "2 second delay". The 2 second delay is caused every time you "break the audio chain" on a digital audio source. Here's what I mean. Let's say you turn on your CD player, the KRELL HTS and hit play. It takes the HTS 2 seconds to lock onto the audio signal that is playing before producing sound even after the CD player starts playing. What that means in English, is that every time you play a CD, you will miss the first 2 seconds of the track..EVERY TIME ON EVERY DISC. The audio "unlocks" every time you hit pause, stop, track forward, track backwards etc., causing you to lose 2 seconds of music when you resume and then hit play, while the HTS again "looks" for an audio signal. To add fuel to the fire, on DVD's it's even worse.
On top of all of the same symptoms as CD ( audio loss on: pause, ff, stop etc.) the HTS looses audio on DVD layer changes, menu selections, audio selections, chapter selections, etc. To compound the loss of audio with a visual accompaniment, upon losing audio, the on screen display flashes NO SIGNAL endlessly, until it finds one. This delay usually occurs in 2 second intervals so, you get used to it. KRELL's answer to the NO SIGNAL flashing was "don't use the on screen display" not a solution or an option for me. KRELL's answer for the 2 second delay was " if you use the analog inputs on the HTS as opposed to the digital ones, you will not experience the problem." While this solution does indeed work, there are a few problems with this method. Firstly, if you are buying a $6000 preamp/processor, chances are that the DAC's contained in the KRELL would be better than your CD player so, you experience audio through inferior DAC's. Secondly, by using the analog inputs you will be unable to play any DTS CD's, this may not be a problem for you but, I love DTS music so, it was a problem for me. Thirdly, the HTS "digitizes" the audio signal when using the analog inputs so it sounds different. The signal goes from analog to digital (conversion) as opposed to a straight digital or analog signal. Finally, if you use the analog inputs, you can forget listening to DVD's in DTS or DD, it's not possible to listen to digital sound through analog inputs, so enjoy 2 channel stereo DVD's forever. Pick your poison, all of the resulting problems left me with only one solution..deal with the 2 second delay and pray they acknowledge it, address it and correct it.
By now you must be ready to say "I'll stick with my present preamp/processor, this KRELL is lousy", don't do that, the good stuff is about to begin. By no means do I not like the HTS in spite of the above "shortcomings". For the record: "THE KRELL HTS IS THE BEST SOUNDING PREAMP/PROCESSOR I HAVE EVER HEARD AND I HAVE HEARD ALOT". How's that for a statement. In 2 channel stereo, DTS, and Dolby Digital 5.1, nothing touches it. Not even KRELL's own Audio/Video Standard costing $13,000 sounds better. It is the only pre/pro that has all 6 outputs XLR balanced, even a balanced output for the subwoofer. It is one of the only pre/pro's that has composite, S-video AND component video switching, and it is broadcast quality switching, as well. KRELL is presently getting ISF certification for their broadcast quality switching, assuring you it is of the highest quality available.
About those "shortcomings".. How do you think I got the answers to all of the problems? KRELL's superb customer support. These guys love their jobs and the products they create, they take a personal interest in all customer's concerns. I had an early software version EPROM, being that I had one of the first units available to the public. KRELL has since upgraded their software, sent me a new EPROM for FREE, and walked me through the installation patiently. This EPROM does NOT correct any of the problems listed above, it did however, correct a problem I did not mention. I didn't mention it because it is corrected and all current versions of the HTS have the new version so, it won't be an issue for anyone.
Regarding the KRELL's configureability and its ability to be tweaked. At first I was concerned about not having all of the bells and whistles in order to "fine tune" my system. After entering the most simple information: How many speakers do I have, which speakers are "full range", YES, I have a subwoofer and the distance each speaker is from the listener (in feet not inches), the KRELL did all of the calculations regarding frequency roll off, speaker delays and bass management. I can honestly say, that with all of the fine tuning I was able to make with the Lexicon MC-1 and the Theta Casa Nova, they NEVER sounded as good as the KRELL. I don't understand it myself, but it isn't even close. Also amazingly, at "0" on all of the speaker levels, the KRELL read 75db, at reference level, measured with a sound meter, right out of the box. All of the tweaking with other processors got me boosting the front left, decreasing the right rear etc., in order to get a reference level 75db in all 5 speakers. The KRELL was dead on.
They use crystal DAC's, for whatever that's worth. After a lot of time and money, I have learned that it is not just the quality of the DAC's used but, also the way they are implemented and the software associated with this implementation. KRELL stated that in the event any new technology becomes available or becomes an industry standard(24/96 and SACD) they will upgrade the HTS to be fully functional. At what price, no one knows but, my EPROM was free so, we'll see. The HTS has programmable triggers allowing you to delay each trigger from 1- 10 seconds. I have 2 amps so, trigger #1 powers 1 amp on after 1 second, and trigger #2 powers on the second amp after 2 seconds, pretty cool, huh?
All of the rear panel connectors are gold plated and solid as a rock. I've been switching components back and fourth and they hold tight.
It's got dual zone capability, internal pink noise calibration, an RS-232 Port, a Phast Link and an RC-5 input.
It has 9 S-video inputs, 2 optical toslink inputs and 6 digital coaxial inputs. If you choose not to use the balanced outputs, you can use RCA's or any combination of RCA and XLR outputs. That's about it, as if this review isn't long enough. On a scale of 1-5 the KRELL is a solid 4 ½, fix the 2 second delay and it's as close to perfect as it gets.
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