Krell KPS-20i

Krell KPS-20t

Krell KPS-20i/l

1 9 9 5 1995
1 9 9 7 1997

Krell's most remembered CD drive, available in three versions :

KPS-20i
integrated player with digital inputs to benefit from the integrated 20bit d/a unit

KPS-20t
drive only

KPS-20i/l
with a KRC-2 preamp stage added for direct connection to a power amp.

All three versions share the same Philips CDM9Pro which is housed in a 2kg brass block.
The star shaped puck (sorry - stabilizer) sticks the CD on the spindle through a quenched field magnet ; the spindle is also modded to avoid a maximum any eccentricity of the CDs by perfect interlocking with the puck (sorry - stabilizer).
Low-stored energy feet make the balance and supply the second barrier against ever nasty vibrations.

Data extraction goes through a Motorola DSP-56002 processor operating at 66MHz and running Krell-developed software similar to those used in the Reference 64 d/a unit : "incresaed complexity allows oversampled points to be more accurately calculated". D/A ICs are four 20bit BurrBrown PCM63.

Optional ST glass AT&T digital outputs allow connection loop through Krell's Time Sync system.


The owner's manual is stll downloadable from Krell.

Krell KPS-20i, image 1 Krell KPS-20i, image 2
Krell KPS-20i specifications
Title Value
Jitter : 0 picoseconds (KPS drive)
40 picoseconds (external inputs)
Processor : 1x Motorola DSP-50002 24-bit / 66MHz
Software : Krell-written reconstructive software
operating at 705,6Khz
Dithering method : no dithering
D/A : 4x PCM-63 20-bit Colinear Burr Brown
in differential configuration
Frequency response : 20Hz...20Khz (+0 / -2dB)
S/N ratio : > 135dB (60Hz)
> 120dB (20Khz)
Digital inputs : 1x AT&T / ST optical
1x AES/EBU balanced
1x coaxial RCA
1x TOS optical
Digital outputs : 1x RCA coaxial
2x AT&T / ST optical (optional)
(the 2nd AT&T can be used for Krell's Time Sync system)
Analogue outputs : 2x analogue XLR
2x analogue RCA
Dimensions : 48cm x 12,7 cm x 36,8cm
Weight : ?
page online since : december 2008
page updated : not yet
page type : LGT / KNB
page weight : 1.05 Mb / 922 Kb
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