Krell Cipher User Manual

Connecting the
CIPHER
to Your System

Krell recommends using bal­anced interconnect cables.
Balanced interconnect cables
not only can minimize sonic loss
but are also immune to induced
noise, especially with installa­tions using long cables. Bal­anced connections have 6 dB
more gain than single-ended
connections. When level match­ing is critical, keep this gain
value in mind.

Pin assignments for XLR
connectors:

Pin 1 Shield (ground)
Pin 2 Non-inverting (hot) (0°)
Pin 3 Inverting (cold) (180

°

)

Operating the CIPHER

Note

The CIPHER reads data discs. For
example, if you prepare a CD-R or
DVD-R containing MP3 audio files,
you can play the discs on the
CIPHER. The following ter
appears in the fr
help you navigate a data disc:

ROOT = The beginning of the disc.
F = A closed folder.
TOP = An open folder

ess the enter button or key (11) to

Pr
open a folder
folder, or play a track.

Press the up and down arrows or
keys (12) to move between tracks in

.

a folder

ont panel display, to

, move to the previous

ACCESSING FORMATS
ON A HYBRID

4 Krell CIPHER

minology

.

CD

Follow these steps to connect the CIPHER to your system.

1. Make sure all power sources and components are off before connecting inputs
and outputs.

2. Neatly organize the wiring between the CIPHER and all system components.

eparate AC wires from audio cables to prevent hum or other unwanted noises

S
from being introduced into the system.

3. Balanced outputs use three-pin XLR connectors. Single-ended outputs use RCA
connectors. Maintain the correct left/right orientation of these outputs.

4. To play SACD discs, you need to use analog audio outputs. Digital audio outputs
are only available for conventional compact discs.

For multi-channel
disc (

CD) playback, connect the CIPHER multi-channel analog audio outputs to

(SACDMulti), two-channel (SACDStereo), and conventional compact

the surround preamp/processor multi-channel inputs. All multi-channel analog

ULTI

M

audio outputs are available in the
surround (SL, SR) multi-channel outputs are not available in the

format. Center (C), subwoofer (SW) and

D

ACDStereo

C

or S

formats. Left (L) and right (R) multi-channel outputs are always active.

5. For two-channel, and conventional compact disc playback only, connect the
CIPHER balanced analog audio outputs, or the left (L) and right (R) multi-channel
outputs to the preamplifier balanced or single-ended analog audio inputs.

6. In addition, for conventional compact disc playback only, you may connect the
CIPHER digital coaxial output or digital optics output to the corresponding pre­amp/processor digital input.

7. Plug the AC power cord into the IEC power connector on the back panel. Then
plug the AC power cord into the wall socket.

Press the back panel power switch (34) labeled “1”. When the CIPHER is initialized
and in the stand-by mode, the red stand-by LED (2) on the front panel illuminates.
Then press the power button on the front panel or the power key (1) on the remote
control, to place the CIPHER in the operational mode. When the blue power LED (2)
illuminates, the CIPHER is in the operational mode.

1. Press the open/close button or key (7) to open the disc transport.

2. Place the disc on the transport.

3. Press the open/close button or key again to close the disc transport. The front
panel display reads the total tracks and time on the disc.

Press the play button or key

4.

. The format type is visible in the fr

The format type disappears and the front panel display reads

ont panel display

TRACK 1 and the

track time, as the disc begins playing.

5. Press the stop button or key (5), and then the title button or key (13), to select
another disc format and view available tracks.

6. Adjust the volume level thr

ess the stop button or key to end disc playback.

Pr

7.

ough your system volume control.

8. Press the play button or key (6) to begin playback again, from the first track.

9. T o r eturn the CIPHER to the stand-by mode, press the power button or key (1).

1. Press the stop button or key (5). The front panel display (19) shows the total tracks
and time on the disc.

2. Press the title button or key (13) until the desired format shows in the front panel dis-

. After a few seconds, the format name disappears and the front panel display

play
shows the total tracks and time on the disc.

3. Press the play button or key (6) and the selected format begins playing.

CIPHER

MODEL

Krell Industries, LLC., 45 Connair Road,Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA
TEL [phone], FAX [phone], E-MAIL [e-mail]
WEB SITE http://www

ellonline.com

.kr

SERIAL NUMBER

CIPHER

SACD/CD Player

QUICK SETUP GUIDE

Getting Started

WARNINGS

This CLASS I apparatus must be
connected to a MAINS socket
outlet with a protective earthing
connection.

Unpacking

Note

Save all packing materials.
If you need to ship the CIPHER

.

in the future, repack the unit in
its original packaging
to prevent shipping damage.

Placement

AC POWER GUIDELINES

This product complies with the EMC directive (89/336/EEC)
and the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC).

Thank you for your purchase of the Krell CIPHER. The CIPHER is a music-only plat-

orm which plays single layer, dual layer, and hybrid super audio compact discs as

f
well as conventional audio compact discs. This component features exceptional
high quality two-channel stereo as well as the new multi-channel output, bringing
you the excitement of six-channel sound.

Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or Krell if you have any ques­tions not addressed in the owner’s reference.

Do not place the compact disc player where it could be exposed to dripping or splashing.
Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on the end of the AC cord. This may cause radio fre-

quency inter
The ventilation grids on the top and bottom of the CIPHER must be unobstructed at all times

during operation. Do not place flammable material on top of or beneath the component.
Turn off all systems’ power before connecting the CIPHER to any component. Make sure all

cable terminations are of the highest quality, free from frayed ends, short circuits, or cold sol­der joints.

Caution: Visible and invisible laser radiation. When the cover is open, avoid exposure to beam.
This unit employs a laser. To prevent possible eye injury, only a qualified service person should
remove the cover or attempt to service this device. Use of controls or adjustments or performance
of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE ANY KRELL PRODUCT.

ference (RFI) to be introduced into your playback system.

1. Open the shipping box and remove the top layer of foam. You see these items:
1 CIPHER

1 IEC connector (AC power) cord
1 12 VDC (12 V trigger) cable

1 CIPHER remote control
2 AAA batteries
1 Quick Setup Guide

1 T-10 Torx wrench

2. Grasp the underside of the foam end-caps that encase the CIPHER and
lift it straight out of the shipping box.

3. Place the CIPHER in a safe location and remove the protective plastic
wrapping.

Place the CIPHER on a firm, level sur

face, away from excessive heat, humidity

, and
moisture. The CIPHER requires at least two inches (5 cm) of clearance on each side
and at least two inches (5 cm) of clearance above and below the component to
provide adequate ventilation. Installations inside cabinetr

y may need extra ventila

-

tion.
Do not place the CIPHER near hum sensitive components such as pr

phono stages or tur
these components could create inter

ntables. Although the CIPHER is well shielded, placing it near

ence and cause hum.

fer

eamplifier

The CIPHER has superb regulation and does not require a dedicated AC circuit.
Avoid connections through extension cords or multiple AC adapters. High quality 15
amp grounded AC strips are acceptable. High quality AC line conditioners may be
used if they are grounded and meet or exceed the unit’s power supply rating of 100
VA.

Krell CIPHER 1

Figure 1 The CIPHER Front Panel

igure 2 The CIPHER Back Panel

F

Front Panel
and Remote

POWER

1 Power

Switches the CIPHER
between stand-by and
operational modes.

2 Stand-by and Power

LED
Stand-by. The red

stand-by LED illumi­nates when the CIPHER
is switched on from the
back panel, indicating
that the player is in the
stand-by mode and
ready to be switched to
the operational mode

Power.The blue power

LED illuminates when
the CIPHER is in the
operational mode.

3 Infrared Sensor

Receives commands
from the CIPHER remote
control. For proper

emote contr

r
do not obstr
infrared sensor.

ol operation,

uct the

TRANSPORT

4 Pause

Temporarily suspends
playback of a track.
To resume playback at
the point pause was
engaged, press play.

5 Stop

Stops disc playback.

6 Play

Starts playback from the
beginning of the disc.

7 Open/Close Button

Opens and closes the
disc transport.

8 Track Forward and

Back
Track Forward.

the track that follows the

.

current track.

T

rack Back.

track that precedes the
current track.
Search. Press repeated­ly (do not hold) to skip
multiple tracks.

Sear

9

Back

ess to scr

Pr
backward in the current
track. Press play (6) to re­turn to normal playback.

10 Menu

Access 5 menu choices:

1) Info, 2) Disc T
SACD Default, 4) System
Info, and 5) SPDIF con-

ol options.

tr

Selects

Selects the

ch Forward and

war

oll for

ext, 3)

11 Enter

Press to select one of
the 4 menu choices list­ed above (10).

12 Directional Arrows

Press the up or down
arrows to navigate the 3
menu choices.

13 Title

Selects the format:
conventional CD (CD),
two-channel SACD
(SACD Stereo), or multi­channel SACD (SACD

Multi

is
ly selected format
appears in the front
panel display (19) imme
diately after being
selected. Each for
selectable in the menu.

14 Prog

Press PROG to begin pro­gramming a sequence
of tracks. If a disc is
playing, press STOP (5)
and then pr

d or

Pr
enter a track number
and pr
Repeat until all desir
tracks ar
Pr
the pr

o exit the pr

T
mode. Open the trans

port (18) or press
(5) and then press PROG

). The default format

SACD Multi. The current-

mat is

PROG.

ess

ENTER (11).

e enter

Y

(6) to begin

ogram.

ed.

o set up a pr

T

ess

PROG (14) then

ess

ess

PLA

ogram.

ogram

STOP

(14) twice.

2 Krell CIPHER Krell CIPHER 3

oduct is manufactur

This pr

ell Industries, LLC. its subsidiaries, and authorized agents. T

by Kr
trade names ar

© 2011 by Krell Industries, LLC., All rights reserved

e r

ed in the United States of America. Kr

egister

ed to their r

espective companies.

15 Clear

Press to delete an un­wanted entry in a pro­gram sequence.

16 Direct Track Access

Use buttons or keys
1 through 9 to access
each track in a disc
directly .
If tracks consist of 2
digits, press the buttons
or keys within 2 sec­onds of each other.

17 Filter

Selects filter responses
for disc formats.
1 - 4 for SACD
1 - 2 for CD

-

18 Disc Transport

Holds the disc.

DISPLAY

19 Front Panel Display

Shows disc type and
format, and the current
status of the disc. The
phrase CHANGING LAYER
appears in the front
panel display while the
disc moves between
conventional CD and

ed

SACD layers.

-

®

l

el

osLink

is a r

ed trademark of Kr

egister

®

is a trademark of T

20 Dim

Reduces the illumination
of the front panel display
(19).

21 Display

Cycles the front panel
display between 4
choices: remaining track
time, elapsed track time,
elapsed time on the
disc, and remaining disc
time.

REMOTE ONLY

22 Repeat

Replays selected track
or entire disc until new

e is selected.

featur

Repeat A/B

23

Loop between 2 prede­termined points within
a single track or sequen­tial tracks.

24 Audio

Cycles between the

eo and multi-channel

ster
layers of a SACD disc.

INACTIVE
Front Panel.

DISC buttons ar

SETUP and

e inactive.

Remote. SUBT, ANGLE, RET,

and DISC keys are

SETUP,

inactive.

ell Industries, LLC., and is r

oshiba Corporation. All other trademarks and

estricted for use

Back Panel

Figure 3 The CIPHER Remote

ANALOG AUDIO
OUTPUTS

25 L and R Balanced

Analog Audio Outputs

One pair of balanced
outputs with XLR con­nectors.

26 Multi-channel Single-

ended Analog Audio
Outputs

For connection to a
multi-channel receiver,
with RCA connectors:

L, R = left and right
channel connections.

C = center channel
connection.

SW= subwoofer
connection.

SL, SR = left and right
surround channel
connections.

CANLink

27

Each CIPHER has two
RJ-45 link connectors,
connected in parallel.
These connectors are
used to operate the
CIPHER in link mode,
with other Evolution
products.

CAST Audio Outputs

28

One pair of CAST out­puts with 4-pin bayonet
connectors, for use with

-equipped

ell CAST

Kr
preamplifiers.

DIGITAL AUDIO
OUTPUTS

29 Optics Output

One EIAJ fiber optical
digital output with a
TosLink connector.

30 Coax Output

One S/PDIF coaxial digi­tal output with an RCA
connector .

BACK PANEL REMOTE
CONNECTIONS

31 12 VDC In/Out

(12 V Trigger)
Out.

Activates a 12 VDC
signal when the player is
in the operational mode
that may be used to turn
on other devices
equipped with a 12V trig­ger input.

In.Sets the player in the
operational mode when
a 12 VDC signal is
applied to this connec­tion.

32 RS-232

The RS-232 communica­tion port allows you to
send and receive opera­tional instructions to and

om the CIPHER via an

fr

nal computer con-

exter
trol system.

33 RC-5 In

Accepts baseband RC-5
input commands from
hardwired remote con­trollers.

POWER

34 Back Panel Power

Switch

Use this switch to
change the CIPHER
from off to stand-by.

35 IEC Connector

Use the provided IEC
standard 15 amp power
cord. The switch should
remain unobstructed for
ease of operation and in
case of an emergency.

IMPORTANT
Do not attach enhance

­ment accessories such as
rings, mats, or dampers
to individual discs. These
accessories may inter
with the disc transpor

fere

t,
resulting in erratic play­back and/or poor sound.

Note

The CIPHER incorporates
an advanced suspension
system and does not
require additional mass
coupling or isolation. Y

ou
may experiment with feet or
cones as long as they are
not per

manently af

fixed to
the unit. Any unauthorized
modifications to the unit or

onics voids the war

electr

-

ranty.