The Act 3, unfortunately, stock, ISN'T a dead quite unit, no. It is a tad noisy, but not as noisy as others. It's got about a 90db signal to noise. Others I've had are around 96 or higher...which is better.
I've never had a problem at all with the Act 3's I've owned, and would continue to use them in a pinch for cheaper, quality/superb sounding 5.1 pre's. I wouldn't however own ANY LEXICON! I've sold em over the years, heard em in many many systems, and they're very "plain vanilla" digital sounding pre's IMO. Not so musical, a bit sterile, and I definitely wouldn't use em in a high end 2 channel system on their own, that's for certain! Again, this is my experience.
If you simply want "wiz-bang" surround stearing and processing, and overall quality of sound isn't so critical, the Lex is good. If you need more refined sound, even the old ACT 3 punishes the sound quality of the Lexicon stuff! I say this from years of experience with both brands.
I have an ACT 3 that was moded by the factory however, that's extrememly quite, if almost dead quite from the speakers! It's upgraded to 24/192 dac's and such, 7.1 channel pass through, direct analog in's for all inputs, bass managment, DPLII (at least as good as Logic 7 on Lex). But then something like that's a bit more money used.
However, if you need dead quiet, you'r leaning more towards the Lexicon between that and the standard stock Act 3. Personally, I'd look elsewere |
At $500? That is tough. The act 3 is a veritable bargain in this price range. But it isn't the quietest in comparison to some. So that's probably out.
I'd probably consider used Thule 5.1 dd/dts piece. The Outlaw 950 is good sounding for the money for certain, but a little shy on dynamics IME.
Actually, dare I say it, but a used receiver from Yamaha makes for a good AV pre/pro for movies. Anyway, seems to be detailed enough (most better than, say, a Classe SSP25), and rather dynamic used as a pre/pro. For cheep some of these more recent pieces are worth a try.
Remember, for $500, you don't have much choice. Still, not bad |
"Back to the Lexicon DC-1,...the DCs is my primary HT processor. I frankly can't relate to the comments made above. The sound quality rivals many pure stereo pre's I've tried, including Rotel RC1070, and also Classe CP35."
(bdgregory)
"Good grief! It is so fashionable to dump on the old Lexicon DC-1." (jimburger)
To each his own. I am very glad there are many out there that simply love their Lexicons. I've not only sold them retail, but have been to many a setup, store, home, show, or othewise, and I simply don't care for the sound at all, personally. In the Lexicon's defense, the stearing, channel separation, and overall dynamics are very good indeed. I just think that most it falls flat in the other areas. They're not musical, airy, ultradetailed, or prisine, even high-end sounding, nor refined. I'm just spoiled by better sound. Actually, as mentioned above, even the Rotel stuff betters the sonics of the Lexicon IMO. I know someone who's selling their 1068 in mint cond, if interested. for $600-700, a much better choice I think.
good luck |
Not a problem. To each his own indeed.
However, you decide....you'll find no professional reviews that describe the Lexicon's sound as pristine, high-end, refined, audiophile-grade, or world class sonically, etc...none! You make you're own assumptions
I don't pesonallly now any high end audio/video guys in this buisiness (and I know a bunch), who sell and or can get deals on Lexicon, who actually own the processors either! There's simply much much better stuff sonically. |
Dawgbyte, my credibility is very much intact, thank you. The statement-"Lexicon's RV-8 is a literal monument to home theater receiver performance and functionality.", is NOT A GLOWING REVIEW OF SONIC EXCELLENCE!...this should be obvious! Also, this is a RECEIVER REVIEW, not a pre/pro!!
Also the review statement-"using the Lexicon RV-8, it was transformed from a pleasant-sounding system to one that stepped up to ALMOST top-shelf performance", is also NOT A GLOWING REVIEW OF SONIC EXCELLENCE!!! Sorry once again.
please feel free to tell me where this ad puts any Lexicon pre on the same rung as high quality audiophile refined separates? I'm lost with your response here |
Dawgbyte, I'm confused by your contradition in stances on the sonic merits of audio gear, in direct comparison to professional audio mag reviews. In another post earlier you stated that Revel Studio's/Salon's are "Bright, and you find them sonically harsh, colored(?), and fatiguing, etc. And yet EVERY PROFESSIONAL REVIEW on these states that these specific speakers are simply ultra high end, even "Stereophile Class A rated" designs, the anti-thesis of your claims.
On this post(Act3 Vs. Lecicon),where you claimed the lexicon's sonic merits were directly in line with all the "glowing reviews", you said my credibility was surely shot, in that I CONTRADICTED the magazine's reviews, of which you gave me some references(I felt they said nothing personally).
So how do you respond to the fact (www.ecoustics.com has all the mag reviews on Revles) that Revel Studio's/Salon's are obviously reviewed by the highest end mags/reviewers as simply wonderful, even world class passive speakers,(I've heard the Revels, and they're are nothing you're stating, they're very transparant and refined actually.) when you're stating credibility issues with others who contradict what you feel are great reviews of other products? This does seem somewhat hypocricial. Surely you must concure. Your clarificiation here would be appreciated. |
Acutally Jamesw20, I AM pointing all this towards the actual sonic Merits of the Lexicon vs others!(in this case, the Acurus). If anything, my friendly jousting with Dawgbyte and Rex simply helps state my possition, to clarify what the Lexicon actually sounds like.
For instance, Dawgbyte CLEARLY states that Revel Studio's/Salon's are bright, fatiguing, harsh, and colored. And yet, Lexicon's are world class processors sonically. This would raise some credibility questions to anyone following allong, if you ask me.
The entire audio world rates Revel Studio's/Salon's either at or near Stereophile Class A Rated! The same here feel that Lexicon is the pinacle of high end sound reproduction. You do the math. I think this should help clarify the REAL sound quality that's coming from the Lexicion, in dirrect corelation to the tastes of those endorsing them here. Again, the most outspoke advocated of Lexicon pre's here thinks Class A rated Revel speakers sound lousy...?! |
Michaeljbrown, the unit I have was upgraded from the factory with 24/192 DAC's, DPLII, DTS Neo6/movie/music, DPLII movie/music, DTS EX processing, 8ch input and, also, direct pass through for ALL 2 channel analog inputs, for sonic purity!
Basically, the unit has all new digital processing, retaining all the original preamp section, analog volume control, etc. This upgraded piece was never released to the public/manufactured, and is rare and hard to find.
It's now nearly dead silent as far as background noise goes. The old ACT 3 had 90db signal/noise. This one has over 100db signal to noise! It's much more detailed than before, and more refined and sweet sounding, like the Krell HTS piece actually, but MUCH more dynamic!!!
I've not come across another processor as dynamic as these ACT 3's really. That and the clarity of sound makes for a superior process/preamp! Ofcourse mine can do SACD/DVDA from the 8 channel in or any of the 2 channel analog in's for 2 channel SACD/DVDA or other analog sources! Very nice indeed. They're hard to find though. I'm having serious challenges letting go of mine, cause it sound pheonominal, and is RARE! |
