New high-end 4K Blu-ray player set to launch soon

Krovatar plans to release its second 4K UHD Blu-ray disc player in December, the company told us in response to an inquiry. The KBU-500 sits well above the KBU-300, which has been available internationally for some time and is also coming to Germany soon. The company has not disclosed pricing yet, but it is targeting the high-end market. The KBU-500 can therefore be expected to cost considerably more than the KBU-300, which sells for €400.

The player has an aluminum chassis with the typical Hi-Fi component width of 16.9 inches. Like the KBU-300, the KBU-500 has a front-panel display, but this model uses OLED technology. Its deep blacks should make a conventional time readout unobtrusive in a home theater. Older LED displays on disc players are likely to be more noticeable. The front-panel controls also follow a layout that has become uncommon. The player has six buttons: eject, play, stop, forward, back and power. This should make it suitable for music playback without a remote.

Krovatar is also targeting audio enthusiasts. The player supports 5.1 audio from SACDs, the unsuccessful DVD-Audio format and Blu-ray-based Pure Audio discs, which are compatible with standard Blu-ray players. These go by several other names, including HFPA, PABD and BDPA, but are all ultimately Blu-ray Audio discs. Support also extends to the very rare 2222+ format, used by labels such as Dabringhaus und Grimm for classical music releases on Blu-ray Disc, although this requires rearranging the speakers.

Unlike Super Audio CDs, Blu-ray Audio discs place no special technical demands on the player. The remote's four colored buttons simply play a somewhat more important role.

Home theater with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision

The KBU-500 also supports a range of home theater formats. The manufacturer promises HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for video, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for audio. USB 3.0 Type-A and RJ45 connections provide access to additional media formats. Full details are still pending, but broad format support can be expected.

The rear panel offers several other connections. Alongside the RJ45 port are a second USB 3.0 Type-A port and a serial port (RS232C) for remote control. Audio can also be output through coaxial and optical connections or a second HDMI output.

The built-in power supply accepts 100 to 240 volts at 50 and 60 Hz. The images suggest that the power cord is detachable, which could be useful for buyers importing the player. The initial release is planned for the US market. Since Krovatar has already sold its first KBU-300 players in Europe, its prospects of finding a distributor for a European release appear reasonably good.