Anybody heard the Krell Foundation?

I am a Foundation owner. The foundation will not yet decode DSD so if you want SACD you have to change your source (SACD Player or Bluray player) to output PCM instead of bitstream over HDMI. I play SACDs from my Oppo BDP-95 in this method. In this case Oppo is converting to PCM and sending it over the HDMI instead of the 7.1 output. Also in the case of the OPPO, if you change the HDMI output to AUTO instead of PCM or Bitstream, it does correctly switch from bitstream to PCM automatically when playing DTS HD MA versus SACD. I personally hope that they soon add DSD decoding to the Foundation so that I can compare OPPO decoding versus Foundation decoding.

Please tell me how to play multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio discs on the Foundation through the HDMI cable. Thanks.

The Krell Foundation does play 5.1/multichannel via the HDMI cable. I am not sure what Marcgerber means but, I suspect, he is meant to refer to the lack of a multichannel analog input.

The Foundation does not play 5.1 through the HDMI cable. The president of Krell, Bill McKiegan, told me that in December 2013 there would be a firmware upgrade to play 5.1 but it never happened. Love the processor but regret buying it. Other units for a fraction of the price or twice the price have 5.1 analog inputs. Can't understand how Krell thought it was a good idea to leave them off a $6500 piece of equipment.

Does Krell junk-source production to China?

I would assume it accepts multi-channel audio through HDMI although I prefer the analog out of the player for the 'just because' reason.

It's a great sounding unit. Excellent processor. One problem...there is no 5.1 analog input so it will no play your 5.1 SACD or DVD-Audio discs. Bummer.

Love it! Both HT and Stereo. My c50 is shying away from it. But 2 different sounding playback. C50 is warmer KF is fuller and soundstage is amazing. I think it's perfect for HT, it's a bargain for the price. It will easily compete with its bigger brother s1200 in HDMI format.

Have to wait a bit and see what it's all about. Does look intreging. Hope to see some professional reviews soon and consumer reviews!

Nice review on the unit here:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1468563/krell-brings-foundation-av-pre-pro-to-the-new-york-audio-show

***Krell dealer disclaimer***