Everything

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I just purchased this unit to replace my Denon 5700. I am using it with an Outlaw 750 amp and Paradigm speakers. Sounds incredable. So much better than the old Denon. Very happ with my purchase.

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Denon 5700

Great surrond, love the interface

none, yet

I bought this unit to replace my DEAD GTX-1
The MC-1 added so much more detail to movies that I have already watched. ie. U571 in DTS Logic 7. I heard things that I never noticed before, and a sound field with way more space then I remember. I am am sorry my GTX-1 had to die but, it may be for the better.

Lexicon MC1
Toshiba 55" Cinema series
Adcom GFA7000 5x135
Definitive Tech PF15TL Sub.
NHT Superone's 5 of them
Pioneer CLD704 LD Player
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Panamax MAX1000

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Golden Theater GTX-1

Theater sound, setup is really easy

Audio

I made the plunge and traded in my BAT VK-5i preamp (bought it used - sold it used-er) to upgrade my DC-1 to an MC-1. Going from the DC-1 to the MC-1 is certainly worth the price if you have good components to go along with it.

However, in my old system I had the DC-1 acting as an audio DAC that fed my BAT preamp (and from there to the main amp), and I must say that the BAT did wonders on 2-channel audio compared to the preamp section of the Lexicon. I believe I'll have to find a way to purchase another BAT preamp after Christmas.

For movies, this processor is absolutely wonderful. Sounds come out of nowhere and make everyone look around the room at least once during a movie to see what's making that sound in the living room. Bass is awesome and the MC-1 is a pleasure to use. Note that it is quite sensitive to the power that it's being fed, so even for home theater I would consider a better power cord or something like the PS-300.

I've not had the chance to hear the MC-1 as a DAC only, running into a good stereo preamp. I would imagine, given the quality of what I heard with the DC-1, that it's incredible.

All this said, one must consider that the BAT VK-5i listed for about $4500 when new, which is close to the price of the whole MC-1. So, you would expect it to out-perform the MC-1 as a stereo preamp. What I didn't expect was that the BAT made such a huge difference in 2-channel sound. The Lexicon is no slouch, but it isn't a BAT preamp.

5+ stars for home theater
3.5 stars for 2-channel audio
4 stars for surround audio

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Lexicon DC-1

To say that the MC-1 makes the other processors seem like childrens toys is ridiculous. I have the MC-1 and the Proceed AVP in my home and I am auditioning both. The MC-1 is awesome in home theater but the AVP dominates in stereo and stereo surround but both do either better than any other processor I have heard. The 2 are not so different and each has something that the other lacks. A home audition is always the best way to test out a product because it has to work well with your equiptment and room, not the dealers. I would need to give both the Proceed and the Lexicon 5 stars because they are both incredible products and I am having a tough time deciding (I wish I could keep both) I still have around 2 weeks left with both before I have to return 1, but which one is the question? I am not going to post which one won out because that would imply that one is better than the other and that would not be exactly true. If you are in the market for a proccesor in the $6,000 range then do what I did and judge for yourself because that is a lot of money so you should be secure in your decision and there is no better way than a home audition.

I'm glad everybody loves the MC-1...It is a fine product. But to give the impression that it is "the best" available, is a very subjective view point. For instance, it doesn't have balanced inputs and outputs like some of the other "toys" do. It doesn't have a true analog bypass like some of the "toys" do. Although Lexicon states it has broadcast quality video, is this ISF certified like some of the "toys" are (65 Mhz). I couldn't find out the processing power of its DSP engines...is it the smaller 56009 or the more sophisticated 56303's. Is its upgradeability strictly done through EPROMS and dealer supervision, or can it do flash memory downloads right off the internet like many of the other "toys" can. Has Lexicon resolved the "digital lock" problem and addressed some of the build quality issues (flimsy metal) that has effected some owners. My point isn't to bash the MC-1. But it is too balance a totally ludicrous post that states that other high-end processors are just "toys", compared to it. I chose a different pre/pro over the MC-1. Not because it was a toy, in my opinion, but because it didn't have what I was looking for. There are many fine products available in this price range...and none of them make the others look like children's toys.

The best processor/controller I have ever owned or heard, bar none. Makes ALL Meridian, Theta, Krell, Mark Levinson, ect. products sound like childrens play toys. This thing is a friggin' monster. You will never want to leave the house once you hear this digital masterpiece. Trade in your DC-1 towards an MC-1 while you can--you will not regret it.
Chuck

The AVP is a good piece. So is the Casablanca. Neither, however, can match the Lexicon in overall performance--especially in the digital domain. I demoed several preamps in my system at home before purchasing the Lexicon. None were even close to its overall performance and many pieces out there have some pretty serious flaws (lack of inputs, esp. video, poor switching, poor usability, mediocre performance on soundtracks--especially steering). I almost exclusively use their Logic 7 mode and find that it provides the most engaging performance I have ever heard. The system is very easy to use and configure. It is well designed and the remote is awesome. I've not encountered any issues with the system and am a very demanding user. If you have the money to spend you should definitely audition the Lexicon. Assuming that you have the source, amps and speakers to keep up with it, you'll find it a rewarding purchase.

Impressive surround modes, very user friendly configuration options.

Lacks component video inputs as well as balanced audio inputs.

I am quite impressed with this product. It has lots of input and output configuration flexibility. In particular, I enjoy the Logic 7 surround mode. It is easy to control via the remote and has a minimal number of settings to get going. It is very "tweakable" as well. I'd give it a 5 if it had component video and balanced audio connections.

Similar Products Used:

Proceed AVP, Citation 7.0 processor

All

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I have to agree with Chuck. ALL others are TOYS compared to the sound quality of the Lex. Anyone who says otherwise must be on crack. There is nothing even CLOSE to this beauty. Do yourself a favor and get the best. Who cares about balanced inputs/outputs when all levels are line levels--not mic levels. That's why you need balanced inputs guys! For MIC level audio. YES, the MC-1 does have a digital bypass--straight to analog--KNOW YOUR PRODUCT BEFORE COMMENTING. Simply shows some of the people here DO NOT TRULY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE USING. As for sheet metal--are you two planning on using the MC-1 as a football? Or maybe you plan on dropping it a lot? If so, I see your point. As far as I am concerned though, it will sit on the rack with the rest of my gear peacefully doing it's job. Maybe others will use it in this same way...? Another note. All processing, de-coding, EQ, crossovers, time alignment, etc are ALL done ENTIRELY in the digital domain. No one else does that. No one.

Might I remind all that Lexicon processing is used in over 83% of all professional recordings today. NO OTHER PROCESSOR CAN CLAIM AN EVEN CLOSE PERCENTAGE TO THAT. It sure seems that this fact alone should speak wonders as the pros make a living on what they record, if it sounds anything less than perfect—they do not make any money. If the pros choose Lexicon, so should we. Also, how many of the other toy manufacturers have the generous trade in program Lexicon offers? Few, and if they do, their credit towards the trade in is NOTHING like what Lexicon offers. How many of the toys can upgrade as easily as the Lexicon? None as easy. What does all that mean? You buy a toy—your stuck a with toy. You buy a Lexicon, you can upgrade, you can trade in, or keep it as long as you like—your choice.

Lexicon has been making digital workstations and products since the 1970's, long before any of the other toy manufacturers even were around. They are the BEST and always will be.

Period.

Logic 7 is by far the best home theater processing

analogue by pass for 2 channel

I think the improvement over DC-1 is quite a lot both in Logic 7 and 2 channel. To appreciate improvements at this sort of level one has to have very high quality amps/speakers. I use ATC 20 Actives with ATC sub and the improved sound quality I get easily justifies the extra $2000.
A really great product.

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DC-1