Krell Cipher SACD/CD Player

Featuring an advanced disc drive and coupled to the latest Krell digital and analog output circuitry, the Krell Cipher delivers the ultimate performance from today's highest resolution source material. Every performance enhancement is incorporated to retrieve the most accurate signal from SACD and CD music titles. Isolated mechanically from the underlying chassis, the drive mechanism utilizes composite mounts to minimize vibration induced errors. Special sound dampening material is strategically placed inside the unit to minimize mechanical resonances even further. Krell customized disc drive firmware enhances reading accuracy, drive mechanics, and operational parameter. As an ultimate final step, the separate SACD and CD laser heads are individually calibrated by hand for the precise output levels required for reference quality SACD and CD playback.

All signals are fed into a custom designed Krell anti-jitter module that reduces jitter to a virtually immeasurable level. From there, signals are fed to a 24 bit/192 KHz digital filter and then to a pair of balanced 24-bit/192 kHz digital-to analog converters (DACs). Conventional players use one DAC for both channels and convert the current output of the DACs to voltage, a process that invariably causes signal distortion. Instead, the Cipher uses one DAC per channel and feeds the native balanced current output directly to Krell Current Mode circuitry. Removing the typical current-to-voltage stage found in conventional players eliminates distortions associated with this conversion. Balanced DACs maintain a dual differential balanced signal from the output of the DACs to the output connections. This lowers distortion and improves signal to noise ratio to their maximum levels. Core Krell technologies of discrete, complementary, direct coupled circuitry are employed throughout the surface mount based output stage. Evolution CAST and balanced connections are included for optimal stereo playback. A complete Evolution (source, preamp, amplifier) system, connected in CAST, reduces the number of voltage gain stages to the minimum: one. The resulting noise floor approaches the theoretical limit of technology Outputs are also included for Multichannel SACD playback.

The backbone of all audio components is the power supply which is often minimized in lesser players. The Cipher includes independent power supplies for the drive mechanism, digital, and analog sections to maintain signal isolation between these circuit areas. The Cipher's linear power supply is sourced directly from the designs used in Krell Evolution e Series amplifiers. A custom-wound toroidal power transformer, 10 times larger than those found in typical players, provides tremendous current reserves and assures low-noise analog stage operation. Extensive multi-regulation delivers rock-steady power to all gain stages, ensuring maximum dynamic impact that can get muted in players using switching or digital power supplies.