Lexicon questions

[Buzz Goddard]

SInce there's not alot going on here, I'm volunteering to try and answer any and all questions re; things Lexicon. I'll forewarn you that I can't talk about futures; that's for the company to handle. But all the consumer products out there and their design decisions I have an in depth, if somewhat foggy knowledge of.
So if you were dying to know...

[Lexman]

Buzz, thanks for the offer of support in this area! I don't know why I didn't see this message before now. But I assure you, that we appreciate this offer.

You know, the beauty of owning my MC-1 is, that there just haven't been a lot of issues! It's been so awesome a performer, that if I can never afford another top end processor, I will be happy. Of course, fingers crossed, that it's longevity will be excellent. I think that it will.

Thanks,

Lex





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[Buzz Goddard]

No reason to think the MC-1 won't last for a long long time. You'll be itching for something new or looking for DVD-A support before that puppy will give out...

[Lexman]

Yeah, your probably right Buzz. Not sure how fast upgrade fever is going to occur. So far, I am holding pretty good.

Lex





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[Rotthouse]

Hello, appreciate the opportunity to ask a pro my question!!
I am Soooooo close to pulling the trigger on a DC-2, BUT have a couple of concerns. First my use is 80-20 biased towards home theater with broadcast satelitte tv a major component. We do watch a large number of DVD"s. I will use the unit as a daily workhorse mated to the HD710. Every now and again the same comment pops up about the Lex, poor music imaging but "real nice" home theater processor. Is it to much to ask that a 3K pre do both considerably well? The flip side is that the Lex appears to be pretty good about future upgrades. The B&K appears to get excellent music reviews. (The local mid-high end dealer likes the B&K overall but says 3K for the Lex may be a deal to good to pass up!!)
Appreciate your thoughts. thanks.

JW

[MRWILLL]

I don't agree with the asessments about Lexicon's pre-pro's. I believe if you add great components to the processior, you get great results. I go way way back in 2/ch (Crown,Fisher,Mac) and with Lex's serious multi-ch listening, I'm hooked. You have some big 2/ch hitters out there, Meridian, Theta, EAD, and many more. Lexiocn does 7.1/multi ch listening like no other. 2 1/2 out of 3 ain't bad.




STOP!!...LOOK!!...LISTEN!!
DVD...Hear it from the people who
mixed and mastered it "LEXICON".

[Buzz Goddard]

Given your bias towards movie sound, I don't see the problem. The Logic 7 mode will do wonders for you. Only other alternative would be a unit with Pro Logic II.
I also discount the stuff about "poor music imaging". Yes, it can be improved upon. Can't think of anything that can't...




Buzz Goddard
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[Lexman]

Yeah, Lexicon has been beat up on for it's 2 channel a lot. I used to get into some rather heated debates over this.

But as Will said, a lot depends upon the surrounding equipment. Now granted, that same equipment might sound better in 2 channel with an alternate processor regardless. But from a system synergy standpoint, in the end, it's the combination of sound, features, and benefits that matter most.

Fact is, Lexicon does so many other things SO well, that I find it interesting, that the folks that have a processor they claim is so much better for 2 channel, don't seem to want to discuss logic 7, or bass enhance, or input/output switching, or zone 2, or...

I had a DC-1 in a configuration with Proceed amps, and Sonus faber speakers, and the DC-1 performed well. Did the MC-1 improve on my audio? Yes it did. I could tell the difference when I made the switch. Did that mean I was suddenly unhappy having owned the DC-1? No, it just meant I was extatic to own the MC-1!

If by chance you could find a used MC-1, I would say go that route over the DC-2. But if not, 3K for a DC-2 is a fair deal.

Also, JW, welcome to the forum! Let us know what you decide if you have time.

Lex

[CLE]

Hi Everyone!

I just found this forum, so I'm looking forward to spending some time here.

I have an older DC-1, which is the THX version. I am thinking about upgrading the processor to DD (maybe DTS later), but the cost is very prohibitive to me. Does any one know of a reliable source with good prices on upgrades for the DC-1? I have quite a bit of experience with building/modifying electronics, so I am comfortable in doing the work myself with minimal instructions. I do not need the most recent version of the DC-1, and I am willing to consider used parts if it will save a considerable amount of money.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Chris

[Rotthouse]

Lex, BZ, Appreciate the info and encouragement. Sorry for the tardy response, but I wanted to wait until I had "pulled the trigger" and had the unit. I received the DC2 today (v4-dd,thx, dts). Have not had time to really do a setup. My situation is this: Made the purchase at this time to take advantage of a dealer price incentive, but am in a small apartment for 4-5 more months until our new home is built. Besides going stir crazy, the apartment is not good for an HT system!! So to test the Lex I am hooking up 2 channel B&K amp, (which when in finished HT room will power the rear e3ffects speakers), and only using a pair of direct speakers in stereo (the above mentioned speakers). Using a Loewe 30" for video.

Intial questions: Dealer led me to believe thatr the Lex remote was a learneing unit, pretty sure this is not "bad" info. (i know, I know, buy a pronto or such, just wanted this remote to tide me over!!)

Secondly, does the IR trigger on the Lex work with most amps?? The b&K has a 3.5mm phono type lug but looks like input. BUT the lex IR "phono typr plug" says input also?!???!

Have other users smoothly introduced the Lex into their HT system or any issues I must look for? I.E., can you use the pre to power on an RPTV??

Sorry for the long response, but I am new to the lexicon of the Lexicon!!! , and therefore am anxious about some issues and most of all excited to use this unit. (......hell if I am that confused it goes back for the BK Ref 30.......nah....this relationship will work!!!)

J

[Buzz Goddard]

Does any one know of a reliable source with good prices on upgrades for the DC-1? I have quite a bit of experience with building/modifying electronics, so I am comfortable in doing the work myself with minimal instructions. I do not need the most recent version of the DC-1, and I am willing to consider used parts if it will save a considerable amount of money.

Unless you can write code and are a really good hacker to, there is no way to upgrade a DC-1 for DD or DTS without the Lexicon parts. Toime is on your side on the cost though...




Buzz Goddard
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[Buzz Goddard]

Congrats on your purchase. And a house too! Yeow.

Intial questions: Dealer led me to believe thatr the Lex remote was a learneing unit, pretty sure this is not "bad" info.

Bad info is correct. And don't get a Pronto, get the RTI Theatertouch.


Secondly, does the IR trigger on the Lex work with most amps?? The b&K has a 3.5mm phono type lug but looks like input. BUT the lex IR "phono typr plug" says input also?!???!

The IR is an input and it is not a trigger at all. It is an input so you can have an IR repater (or a an rf system) in your rig and you don't have to hang a flasher on the front panel.
There are trigger outputs, that is what is available on the 5 pin DIN conector and the smaller detachable bare wire connectors right near the DIN connector.




Buzz Goddard
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[Lexman]

CLE, you heard it from the man, Buzz. I pretty well said a similar thing in the email I sent you. Sorry, this is a major upgrade here to DD. Again, the DTS upgrade is simplier, but it still requires the chip.

Rott, congrats! I think Buzz addressed most of your issues, except I want to add this. The trigger in the Lexicon doesn't match up exactly voltage wise, but it could still work. My Proceed amps and Lexicon are different, and it works just fine.

Now, to get around the phono problem is easy enough. I don't think you have a bare wire trigger on the DC-2, do you? If you do, I recommend that approach as far as the Lexicon goes. Now to the amp, just go to Radio Shack and pick up a mono phono cord. If your Lexicon is DIN, then pick up a DIN as well. A cable, not just the plug. I tried messing with the plugs and that was a real pain in the ass. What you will do is basically cut the two cables in two, then splice the appropriate leads together to make 1 cable. You will need to reference which pins to use on the DIN, as it's a 5 pin. Hope that helps.

Lex





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[MRWILLL]

Buzz...


The creator of BASS ENHANCE "David Griesinger" recommends:


Front-Rear Small/40Hz ?????


Sides-Large


Center-Small/120Hz


Sub-40Hz


For the life of me, I hear many things wrong with this picture. Lexicon was one of the first company's to come out wth "BE". This made us folks with full range (tower/below 40Hz) spks very happy to be able to hear how low our spks will go. All of my (full range) spks play play below 40Hz. With "BE" engaged, and two Velodyne subs, my bass/LFE is like a tidle wave hovering over my entire listening room. It is something to hear and feel.


I set up my rig as MR. Griesinger recommends, and I didn't get the same sound and feel of my system as when I set all my spks to large (40Hz/Explosive sound). I understand that maybe some people don't want as much bass/LFE effects as I do, but some people want even more. Could you committ on why David would set his Front/Rear (large) spks as small/40Hz with "BE" when (I'm thinking) the ideal setting would be large all the way around? What is the benefits of "BE" with the Front/Rear spks set to small, when they are full range tower spks?




STOP!!...LOOK!!...LISTEN!!
DVD...Hear it from the people who
mixed and mastered it "LEXICON".

[Buzz Goddard]

The idea of bass enhance is to create a more diffuse, "stereo" bass response. Dave is very interested in concert hall acoustics and psychoacoustics. He is very passionate about spatial impression and he listens primarily to classical and acoustic music.
The suggestion on speaker configuration aims to get the low frequencies out to the sides where you will get the most separation. This gives you the most feeling of envelopment.
But you trade off "slam".
I've found it does indeed sound more spacious and relaxed, but that just does not cut it for those times when I need to hear Godd Times, Bad Times at 11...
Loud rock and pop and movie explosions call for a different apporach, one more like what you had. You want your chest to thump? cool...




Buzz Goddard
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[DanB]

Buzz:
What makes you sold on the RTI?
I personally tried it and could not justify the dollars spent/wow factor. It has not recieved glowing reviews at several sites that specialize in remote controls for the money that is being asked. Of course over the last 6 months or so, the competition in the remote control arena has heated up quite a bit.
I am not impressed with the Pronto, either, but at close to 300 bucks less, it is a liveable package.




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