Krell Industries Foundation Processor Owner's Reference Manual

Foundation Processor OWNER’S REFERENCE

Foundation Processor Reference Surround Sound Preamp / Processor

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

Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or Krell if you have any questions not addressed in
this reference manual.

WARNING: Do not place the component where it could be exposed to dirt or excessive moisture.

The ventilation grids on the top and bottom of the Foundation Processor must be unobstructed at

all times. Do not place ammable material on top of or beneath the component.

When making connections to this or any other component, make sure all components are off. Turn off
all system power before connecting the Foundation Processor to any other component. Make sure all
cable terminations are of the highest quality, free from frayed ends, short circuits or cold solder joints.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Krell Industries, LLC

45 Connair Road

Orange, CT 06477-3650 USA

TEL [phone]

FAX [phone]

E-MAIL [e-mail]

WEBSITE http://www.krellonline.com

Krell® is a registered trademark of Krell Indu stries LLC., and is restricted for use by Krell Industries LLC., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents .
All other trademarks and tradenames are registered to their respective companies.
Manufactored under licence from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Pro Logic and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

© 2013 by Krell Industries LLC. All rights reserved.

2

Table of Contents

Introduction (4)

Getting Started (5)

Front Panel and Remote Diagram (6)

Back Panel Diagram (7)

Connecting the Foundation to your System (8)

Initial Setup (9)

Speaker Set-up (10)

Source Set-up (11)

Audio Operation (12)

Network Set-up (13)

Operating the Foundation (14)

Foundation Processor Control (17)

Foundation Processor RS-232 Feedback (19)

Warranty (23)

Service (24)

Specifications (25)

3Foundation Processor

Introduction to the KRELL Foundation Processor

Thank you for your purchase of the Foundation Surround Sound Preamplier/Processor. From decoding the latest lossless

audio formats, extensive digital switching, 3DTV pass-through, and more, the Foundation is fully compliant with the digital
age. Yet the 7.1-channel processor also features balanced audio outputs, automatic setup and room EQ, and Krell’s legendary
robust hardware. A slim new form factor exudes the Krell aesthetic, while allowing placement in smaller equipment racks.

The heart of Krell surround sound preamp/processors is sound quality that is paired to the latest in surround processing
technology. At the hub of the Foundation digital signal processing is a pair of dual core 32 bit Cirrus Logic CS497024 DSP’s
performing 1.8 giga operations per second. Digital signals are then routed to 32 bit ESS Sabre DACS.

Based on award-winning preamplier technology, all Foundation analog output stages are built to the same exacting
standard and feature balanced and single-ended cable connections. Only Krell designed preamplier circuitry is employed

within every channel utilizing discrete current based Class A, direct coupled circuitry for the greatest signal purity and
highest bandwidth. Performance robbing op amps or integrated circuits are not used anywhere in the audio path. Preamp
mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes analog stereo inputs directly to a balanced resistor ladder volume control for
ultimate music reproduction.

In addition to 10 HDMI 1.4a inputs, the Foundation has 2 HDMI outputs, both of which feature Audio Return Channel.

With ARC, a display device is able to send audio back down the HDMI cable to the processor. This is benecial for those
with televisions with built-in web streaming capability like Netix or Pandora, so the streaming audio can use the full home

theater system instead of just the TV’s speakers.

The Foundation passes video signals directly without any video processing, ensuring bit-for-bit accuracy of the signal, up
to 1080p/60. However, to simplify cabling, setup, and use, there is full transcoding of the 2 composite and 3 component
analog video inputs to the HDMI outputs.

The Foundation includes a new Krell development - Intelligent HDMI switching. Intelligent HDMI switching is a
combination of circuitry and innovative software that optimizes HDMI operation. Various parameters including the monitor’s
electronic ID and source video resolution are stored in non-volatile memory. All 10 source inputs are always active so
source, channel, video resolution, and audio format changes are instantaneous. The Intelligent HDMI design provides the
fastest signal recognition possible.

Krell designed the Foundation with exibility and ease-of-use in mind, with extensive routing capability of the audio inputs
to the various outputs. During setup, the specic paths will be chosen based on how the user intends to use each source,

displays, and audio output channels.

The Foundation will allow owners to take full advantage of the best audio soundtracks available, with decoding of Dolby
Digital, Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete, Matrix, and DTS-HD Master Audio. In addition, a full suite of
post-processing modes are included, including Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS Neo 6. Krell’s proprietary surround modes,
Party, General Admission, Front Row, and On Stage, offer a different way to listen to favorite tracks.

The Foundation also features Krell’s Automatic Room Equalization System (ARES), to ensure the best possible performance
from every theater. ARES analyzes all the speakers in the system, their location, phase, and distance from each other, to
determine the best crossover frequency, delay, and more. In addition, ARES incorporates the acoustics of the room to
determine unique EQ curves for each of the 7.1 output channels. Unlike other room EQs, ARES can be programmed to only
adjust the troublesome low frequencies, leaving high frequencies unaltered.

To allow full integration into a home automation system, the Foundation has Ethernet control, RS-232, 4 12v triggers
(2@0.5A and 2@60mA), and RC-5.

4Foundation Processor

Getting Started

Unpacking and Placement

The Foundation Processor is a precision instrument and should be handled with the utmost care when deciding

where it is to be placed and while it is being unpacked and nally installed. Makes sure installation location is dry

and level, and able to provide adequate ventilation. The Foundation Processor runs warm to the touch and requires
the bottom and top of the unit be free from obstruction with good circulation of air. Allow a minimum of 3 inches
above the unit for proper ventilation. Additional ventilation may be required when the unit occupies the same space

with other electronics that generate heat like power ampliers. Please consult an authorized KRELL dealer or KRELL

industries to insure proper installation guidelines.

1. Accessories included

A. 1 AC Power cord

B. 1 Handheld Remote control

C. 1 Trigger cable

D. 1 CD w/ Owner’s reference

E. 1 Warranty registration card

F. 2 AAA Batteries

G. 1 T-10 torx wrench

AC Power Guidelines

The Foundation Processor is designed to work all over the world. The operating voltage is determined at the factory

and is specically set to operate in the country of nal destination. The Foundation Processor requires good clean
power and doesn’t require additional ltration.

NOTE: The Foundation Processor may not operate correctly when AC regeneration or voltage conversion devices are
utilized.

5Foundation Processor

Front Panel and Remote Diagram

1615

5

3

1

6

8

14

12

13

11

4

2

7

10

9

1 Power Standby Button

2 Volume/Navigation Up/Down Button

1

5

3 Left/Right Navigation Button

4 Enter Button

5 Source Select Button(s)

6 Surround Mode Select Button

7 Menu Button

8 Front Panel HDMI Input

9 IR Receiver Window

10 ARES Microphone Input

11 Balance Button

6

12 Krell CD Transport Button

13 Dynamic Range Select Button

3

2

4

7

14 Channel Adjust Buttons

15 Zone Select Buttons

16 Mute Button

6Foundation Processor

Back Panel Diagram

7

6

5

3

21 4

9 810

1112

13

11 RS-232 Control Port

12 RC-5 Control Port

13 Balanced Audio Outputs

14 Single-ended Audio Outputs

15 Zone 2 Analog Outputs

16 Balanced Analog Inputs

17 Single-ended Analog Inputs

18 Component Video Inputs

19 Composite Video Inputs

19

18

14

15

1617

1 HDMI Video Imputs

2 HDMI Video Outputs

3 Mini USB

4 Optical Digital Inputs

5 Coaxial Digital Inputs

6 Main Power Switch

7 AC Power Cord Receptacle

8 Ethernet RJ-45 Jack

9 12v Trigger Input

10 12v Trigger Outputs

7Foundation Processor

Connecting the Foundation to Your System

The Foundation is equipped with 10 HDMI inputs, 3 component video inputs, and 2 composite inputs.

Video outputs include 2 HDMI outputs. Both HDMI outputs include Audio Return Channel. Audio Return Channel
transfers audio from a TV back to the Foundation processor allowing TV audio listening through your home theater
system. The TV must be equipped with Audio Return Channel functionality for this feature to work.

This section provides information about connecting the Foundation to your system.

Follow these steps to connect the Foundation to your system:

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

2. Neatly arrange and organize wiring to and from the Foundation and all components. Separate AC wires from
audio cables to prevent hum or other unwanted noise from being introduced into the system.

The Foundation is equipped with balanced and single ended inputs. Krell recommends using balanced interconnect
cables. Balanced interconnect cables not only can minimize sonic loss but also are immune to induced noise,
especially for installations using long cables. Balanced connections have 6 dB more gain than single ended

connections. When level matching is critical, keep this specication in mind. Krell recommends that you use

balanced inputs for components that will use the preamp mode.

For stereo analog input sources, connect the right and left outputs of your source components to the inputs on the
Foundation. The Foundation is equipped with four sets of single-ended analog audio inputs (S-1 through S-4) via
RCA connectors and one set of balanced analog audio inputs via XLR connectors.

The Foundation is equipped with three coaxial digital audio inputs via RCA connectors and three digital EIAJ
optical inputs via TosLink connectors. Connect the digital audio output of your source components to the digital
inputs on the Foundation.

The Foundation is equipped with a second audio zone. Two different sources may be played simultaneously,
including HDMI based audio sources which, are fed to the Zone 2 analog outputs.

Foundation Processor

8

Initial Setup

The Foundation processor features the Krell Automatic Room Equalization System (ARES) to assist in setting up the
Foundation for optimal performance. The ARES system includes two operations, the speaker setup portion and the
equalization portion. The speaker setup portion of ARES determines the array and position of each speaker in the
system. From there, ideal values for speaker crossover, delays relative to the listening position and sound pressure
levels are all set automatically.

The second half of ARES is equalization. ARES includes a sophisticated equalization system that calculates at

frequency response for the entire system. The equalization algorithm uses the previously calculated speaker setup
data and acquired room characteristics to provide the ideal frequency curves for the speakers in the system.

Individual speaker setup parameters may be edited after the ARES system completes its initial calculations. The ARES
equalization process may be run again after the edits have been made.

All conguration options are selected using the front panel display or via a web enabled device such as a PC or

tablet. The Foundation and the web enabled device must be connected to the same network to use a web enabled
device for setup.

Microphone Setup

Place the included microphone at the listening position close to ear level and away from any obstructions. Plug the
microphone into microphone input on the Foundation front panel and proceed with setup.

Front Panel Setup

Press the Menu button on the front panel or the remote control. Navigating the set-up menu is accomplished by
using a combination of the up, down, left, right, and enter buttons on the front panel or remote control.

Press the Enter button to select Speaker Setup.

9Foundation Processor