Just received an email from Krell touting their CES showing. Here's a little more info from them regarding their new blu-ray player.
The Reference Standard for Blu-ray playback
A very exciting release was the new Evolution 555 Blu-ray player. Jerry Del Colliano of
Home Theater Reviews of plasma HDTVs, LCD HDTVs, Front Projectors, HDMI receivers, AV preamps, Blu-ray players and audiophile electronics described the Evolution 555 this way “The fit and finish of the player was absolutely top-notch and the video feeding a SIM2 Mico50 projector was jaw-droppingly good.” In classic Krell fashion, our first effort in any category is an all out assault on that category.
Featuring the acclaimed 12-bit Sigma Designs 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. 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. 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.
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 Designs VXP video processor is located on a plug-in card for in-field upgrade to HDMI 1.4 with full support for 3D and 4Kx2K Resolution Support.
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. Balanced outputs and single ended outputs are also included for use with conventional preamplifiers.
The Evolution 555 will ship in the late 2nd quarter with a retail of $15,000.
Please contact the sales department at
sales@krellonline.com or 203-298-4021 with any questions.