New Krell Connect

[mwjw]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I also have no problems streaming FLAC files up to 24/192 with the connect. With a different streaming player I had to add a network switch with the router, the computer with the storage, and the streamer all connected to the switch to be able to stream 192's without any glitches. It just handled the data properly where the router would not. I have had good luck using the Connect with PS Audio's Elyric server software and the Elyric control app. You can create a cue and save it as a playlist on the fly. The now playing view also has a cool artist bio. It also has a much more "Apple" look and feel than the Krell app. The black on white is much easier to read than white on grey. The Plugplayer app also woks well with the Elyric server, it does not like older Apple devices however, iPad 1. Works well on newer ones though. I find these apps are more reliable than Krells app. Every piece of server software and control app combo presents different behavior with the connect (and other streamers). None seem to be 100% glitch free but usually a quick re boot fixes everything. Still no AES EBU out on the DAC version, also the DAC version does not have digital inputs, so it is not a DAC for other sources, It just has one on board.

Mike

[SteveK]

Welcome! Good to see other Krell users.
How do you like the built in DAC?

I have PS Audio PWDII with bridge, so I have been using eLyric for over a year. (I hate the 5mm screen offset that happened after the iOS fix update.) At least in my system, eLyric crashes frequently and, yes, reboot works. But, you lose the playlist in the cue. PWD stores the cue inside the unit itself, so even when eLyric (or any app) is closed, it will play the whole list. Connect, on the other hand, needs contined feeding of next song from the eLyric. So, if app crashes, or disconnects, then you lose the playlist. Yes, all of them has glitches...

I agree it would have been nice to at least have a coax input so Connect can be used as outboard DAC. I guess Krell is following in the tradition of Cipher...

I'm going to give plugplayer a try

[mwjw]

I do like the built in DAC very much. It is the same DAC that they are offering in the Phantom III for a $1500 up charge, I don't know why they opted to leave out the input board. They could have at least made it an extra cost option. I can only guess that they are going to offer a dedicated DAC in the same chassis at some point. I recently compared it to the on board DAC in the ARC Ref CD-9. The CD-9 is definitely more dimensional and more open sounding but at $13K it also didn't embarrass the Krell. I would say that it sounds similar to the PWD II. If only someone could build a high end, high resolution streamer that functioned as well as a Sonos...

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by mwjw

I do like the built in DAC very much. It is the same DAC that they are offering in the Phantom III for a $1500 up charge, I don't know why they opted to leave out the input board. They could have at least made it an extra cost option. I can only guess that they are going to offer a dedicated DAC in the same chassis at some point. I recently compared it to the on board DAC in the ARC Ref CD-9. The CD-9 is definitely more dimensional and more open sounding but at $13K it also didn't embarrass the Krell. I would say that it sounds similar to the PWD II. If only someone could build a high end, high resolution streamer that functioned as well as a Sonos...

[mwjw]

Yes, but only if it could natively stream a 24/96 or 24/192 rather than up sample. Also there is not substitute, IMO, for a big hunk of beautiful metal.

[davew]

When I control Connect with Elyric the LCD screen stays at the main menu. Is that consistent with what others experience? I assumed it would show what is playing. Also, Elyric seems to like to crash the Connect. Sometimes I hit play and the whole unit shuts down fully. ??

[SteveK]

Yep, I had similar quirks like that. Only time Connect screen showed album arts, etc properly was with Connect app. But, even with Connect iPad app, it was hit and miss.
As Mike alluded, all these work well enough to make us enjoy music, but certainly cause enough glitches to get us (me) frustrated.
I don't have that much Hi Res files and I am really tempted to get my current Sonos modded to use any outboard DAC.
I thought eLyric with PWDII was unreliable... After trying out some other equipments, I feel it was actually very usuable. I am looking at some Linn, Plinius, and even new Lumin streamer/DAC. Lumin looks promising, but it's so new. And I don't know how much I can trust brand new Hong Kong products...
Even Marantz NA-11S1 looks very interesting.

I am sort of set on my speakers, preamp, amp, and I am trying to complete the system with great source electronics. And I am too lazy to get up and change CDs, let alone LPs I even have Rel G1 that allows level/crossover adjustment from my chair

[mwjw]

Same issue on the display with Elyric for me, it only displays properly with the Connect app, using Media Monkey server. Apparently Krell developed this with Twonky but I have not used it yet. I really don't care about the front panel display as long as an app works properly. I have had the occasional crash that you described Dave, where the unit powers down. I don't yet know what causes this. Also I have had the Elyric app crash when I select a track to play. I was able to start the track with plug player and then Elyric would connect again and be fine. Grrr, Right now I have a server running with just High Res stuff and some other "audiophile standards" in Elyric, and all the 16/44.1 stuff in a sepaerate library for a Sonos Connect with a DAC.