100% transparent, Nearly every feature is applicable in a real world sense. No usless gadgets that add to cost and degrade performance.

For $6k, you might expect a little more aesthetic character.

Sorry for the short review. Not much time to submit a well thought out and detailed review at this time. To sum it up, THis is the first of nearly 45 processors which I have reviewed overht he past 2 years that really took me from the point of contimplation to the point of bliss. I have no real complaints other than the fact that as an Architect/interior designer, I am not overly inspired by the severly understated "black box" design. But then again, our ears are supposed to tell us what we see rather than our eyes telling us what we hear!!

Similar Products Used:

Lexicon DC-1, Theta casa nova, Marantz AV 9000, Proceed, Parasound.

Sound quality, video quality, user interface

Lack of multiple sub option and need for hardware upgrades vs. downloadable software upgrades

This is my second AV processor and it has done very well in my system. I will probably never use 50% of the effects modes, but the logic 7 and music surround modes are very good. bass enhance is also very nice on some material. I think the two channel sound is about as good as I have heard and I don't really think you are sacrificing much when compared to a high end two channel pre-amp. I would say the two channel is 95% as good as the best two channel SS I have heard. I recommend it highly for HT, but if you want the very best 2 channel you will probably need to spend serious money on a dedicated 2 channel pre-amp. For the 5% difference I can certainly live with it. Moving my speaker 3" affects the sound more than going to a $3000 dedicated pre.

Dan

Feature Rich. Great sound and flexability, there best processer yet.

No visual meter on display, like CP-1 used to have.

Great processor when it comes to effects. Love there Logic 7 mode and Music modes. Enough tweeks to keep anyone who likes to busy for months. Great flexiability in hook up and set-up. Sound is great.

Similar Products Used:

CP-1, CP-3, DC-1

Easy to use, great for HT, flexible

Nothing significant

I use the MC-1 as the basis for both movies and music, and think it's excellent for both. For movies, it is just superb - a great 360 degree soundfield, wonderful clarity of dialogue.

I upgraded from the DC-1 and there's no doubt in my mind that this processor is better in nearly every way (though I hadn't upgraded the DC-1 to the latest software, so it's not exactly apples-to-apples) - greater clarity, lower noise floor.

High marks to the ergonomics - the setup and the remote are an absolute breeze to use AND very flexible and powerful in what they can do.

I don't have a lot of experience with in-depth evaluation of competitive products, so I won't say it's absolutely the best or absolutely not the best. I will say that I find it to be thoroughly enjoyable to use.

Cost-wise - it's probably a bit expensive at $6k, but Lexicon has a long history of supporting their existing customers. I traded in my DC-1, so I didn't have to outlay anywhere near $6k to get it, and in the area of surround processors and digital electronics, you know you're going to want to get rid of it for something better long before you have to get rid of it, so this upgrade policy makes it a very good value, IMO.

Similar Products Used:

Lexicon DC-1

very, very good home theater and audio processor

none of any significance

I PURCHASED THE DC-2 FIRST ,I HAD IT FOR A FEW MONTHS.
I LOVED IT VERY MUCH, I WANTED THE MC-1 BUT IT WAS A LITTLE
MORE THAN I COULD SPEND AT THE TIME, SINCE I WAS STILL PUTTING,MY WHOLE SYSTEM TOGETHER.
ONE DAY MY FRIEND SAID HE WAD LOOKING FOR THE DC-2 I SOLD HIM MINE AND IMMEDIATLEY GOT THE MC-1.
I THINK THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCE.
IT NEVER SEEMS TO AMAIZE ME.
ANY ONE WHO LOVES HOME THEATRE AND IS INTO MUSIC SPEND THE MONEY AND YOU WILL,NEVER LOOK BACK.

EQUIPMENT
MARTIN LOGAN ODYSSEY (FRONT}
MARTIN LOGAN LOGOS (CENTRE)
MARTIN LOGAN SCRIPTS (REARS)
LEXICON MC-1
SUNFIRE CINEMA GRAND AMP 5 CHNL 200X5
SUNFIRE MK11 SUB
SONY DVP9000ES DVD PLAYER
MONSTER CABLE ALL ROUND

DARREN MC-1 FAN.

Similar Products Used:

b&k rev30

pathetic box for the $$, no software upgrades via RS232

I've read a few reviews on this site that state "all other processors" are toys, and whomever thinks otherwise is on crack.....what a ridiculous statement - what subjective info can be derived from something so ludicrous?

I was fortunate to have a Theta Casablanca II (yes, the new one) with fronts, center, side, rear, and rear surround set up with 1 sub.

I had this setup at the same time I had the Lexicon MC-1, and did some direct comparisons, using the same amps, SPL level, etc...

More or less, it comes down to what you're looking for. I prefer Lexicon's Logic7 over normal DD or DTS, and feel its ease of use is fantastic compared to other products out there.

The Theta, which costs over $10k retail with superior DAC's, is certainly on a different playing level. It doesn't have a "logic7" type of DSP, but in terms of its overall sound quality/transparency - it surpasses the Lexicon (remember, I did a direct comparison on movie soundtracks in THX mode, and also on music). IMHO, the Lexicon is terrific for the $$$, and for the THX EX and Logic7 modes which it offers - I don't think you can beat it. BUT, to say Theta is a toy compared to the Lexicon is taking things way to far. The Theta does have a direct-mode, eliminating any processing, it also has software & hardware upgrades, and comes with many choices not available from Lexicon.

If you are looking for a hometheater processor, and don't car about 2 channel mode, the Lexicon is terrific. If you want superb, bar-none two channel performance also, and can spring for the Theta Casablanca, it is an incredible piece of equipment - considering it includes slope levels at 6/12/18/24 octaves, and also allows various crossover points from 40-50-60-80-100-120, which the Lex does not have....

Good luck, either is fantastic, but for the money, and if going HT, go with the Lexicon.

Similar Products Used:

Theta Digital (not really the same level), others

Digital Effects, 7.1 Channels, User Support Network, Upgradable

Ok, It's not the Bell of the Ball for looks.

Why someone would buy this thing for two channel listening is beyond me. Yes, I get jealous every time I go to the local audio store. Some Martin Logan's running on some huge Krell mono blocks with some unknown 2 channel tube preamp sounds wonderful. But at what price?

This is a digital sound processor/preamp, made to process audio signals digitally. It creates the environment for you. Set this thing up with 7.1 channels and it rocks. I can create any sound stage I want with the press of a button.

If you like processed sound, and the environment it creates, then this is about as good as it can get.

Similar Products Used:

CP-1, CP-3, DC-1

Everything.

None

All I can say is that I am very happy with this unit for both home theater and stereo music.

I was concerned that the preamp of the MC-1 may not measure up to the traditional two-channel analog preamp. Well, that is simply not the case.

I use it for stereo music as well as surround music. Actually, I am getting to like surround music a lot more than two-channel music. For movies, there's nothing more to say about the MC-1. It is the best!

I would highly recommend this unit to anyone who is looking for both great home theater and stereo music.

The same week the latest processor from Lexicon the MC1 was introduced I traded the Lexicon fully loaded DC1 for it(you probably know the "amazing"trade in policy Lexicon has offered to DC1 owners towards the new MC1-fully loaded DC1's get you a $3500.00 credit toward the MC1 so my out of pocket was $2500.!!!)I am wondering if anyone out there has the new MC1 I would like to hear from you.I think it is far superior to the earlier DC1-giving you 24 Bit AD and DA conversions(even another processor at a higher price may give you 24 Bit DA but not 24 Bit AD also-except maybe the over $10,000 units from KRELL and THETA and MERIDIAN). Also fabulous is the 5 SPEAKER ENHANCEMENT feature which lets you enjoy a 7 speaker array(side and rear surrounds)with only 5 speakers! and the BASS ENHANCEMENT feature. Let's not forget better than BROADCAST QUALITY VIDEO SWITCHING,6 seperate DIGITAL INPUTS that pass 24/96 to the 8 analog outputs that are also 24/96 capable- all for future audio formats(DVD AUDIO), and they have even upgraded their LOGIC 7(not that it needed it)so LOGIC 7 sounds better than it ever did before. I'd like to know your opinion.
My home theatre consists of:AERIAL ACOUSTICS MODEL 8(the modified AERIAL 8-with their new crossover),AERIAL's center and surrounds,SUNFIRE CINEMA GRAND 5 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER,VELODYNE Sub,SONY's new DVD Player 7700,PIONERR ELITE CLD 99 LD player,PROTON Television(my living space in N.Y.C. is too small for any projection T.V.),MIT Bi-Wire Speaker and Interconnect Cables.

None

Dry sound

I don't kow why so many people likes Lexicon. I just auditioned at home and it sounds very dry. 6000$ and sounds dry. I am speechless