Krell's newest Preamp/processor, the Foundation, has been shipping and has received very good reviews. I am in the process of swapping my Krell S-1200/3D for the Foundation and will soon have a report on its performance. The Foundation, while (at $6500) is priced at half of the S-1200's cost, is more oriented toward more HDMI ports and better switching performance, rather than analog processing of legacy formats. A short audition in my home system immediately demonstrated much better sound from Blu-ray movies and DirecTV via HDMI. The analog "preamp" function, wherein the Foundation serves only as a volume control, is at least as transparent as the S-1200. I will need to construct a new set of filters for my Dirac IRC in my music server in order to make a more detailed comparison.
The Foundation does not have analog 7.1 inputs (as most multichannel content these days is easily delivered via HDMI), nor does it have a traditional on-screen display for its menu. Menu functions are handled by ethernet connection to the internet and your iPad or laptop. While this works well, it takes some getting used to for us old dinosaurs who are accustomed to OSD-driven menus.
The Foundation does utilize Krell's proprietary ARES room microphone/software equalization system. It sets channel levels and delay times for proper multichannel playback when all your speakers are not equidistant from the listening position.
I was extremely impressed with its performance, and greatly anticipate its arrival this week. I will post a much more thorough review at that time.
Lee
The Foundation does not have analog 7.1 inputs (as most multichannel content these days is easily delivered via HDMI), nor does it have a traditional on-screen display for its menu. Menu functions are handled by ethernet connection to the internet and your iPad or laptop. While this works well, it takes some getting used to for us old dinosaurs who are accustomed to OSD-driven menus.
The Foundation does utilize Krell's proprietary ARES room microphone/software equalization system. It sets channel levels and delay times for proper multichannel playback when all your speakers are not equidistant from the listening position.
I was extremely impressed with its performance, and greatly anticipate its arrival this week. I will post a much more thorough review at that time.
Lee