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Are lossless Codec's worth upgrading my processor

I have a lexicon DC-2 processor which has a number of the older codecs and lexicon's 7:1 surround capability....works great with HDTV. However, now I'm going to get a bluray player and of course today's technology has lossless codec's and HDMI 1.3.

I can connect a bluray player thru digital to my Lexicon DC-2 and still decode the non lossless codecs...well at least some of them.

The question is....how big is the difference in sound between the new lossless codecs and DTS, Dolby, etc. Is it night and day....or just a little better...or just marketing hype?

(Lexicon DC-2, NHT Power 5, NHT/James 5:1 speakers)
ghstudio
vicdamone
850 posts
 
+1! It wasn't until I brought it home and added the two sides, I was floored by the difference. Then I ran the room correction, wow. After I got over the the improvement in surround effects I noticed the dialogue location in the front channels was much better even with some older titles.

This upgrade doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to get the bulk of the improvement. HDMI cable shouldn't cost more than $20, Blue Jean or Monoprice.
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Ghstudio,

The DC-2 was not the premier piece of it's day. It was pricey and better than many, but not the top of the Lexicon line up. I think the remainder ofthe inputs concur with my thinking.

RW,

If you don't feel the new codecs are much better, please drop by and visit me in Florida and I will show you why I feel this way, I'm sure you'll agree with me after any demo I put together for this event.
ghstudio OP
141 posts
 
kennyt...I think the DC-2 was the only lexicon processor in it's time....with a few different models (upgradable). While it may not have been the premier processor at the time, it was lexicon's premier processor with their unique logic 7 logic.

The question is how does it stack up against even the integra 9.9 or cary 11a today.
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
GH,

I never liked the DC-2, in fact I haven't like Lexicon until recently, and then only for HT, they are a bit too 'digital' for lack of better description. Amazingly, the Integra is one pre/pro I have not had in my rig, I have heard many great things about it, and for the price, it's hard to beat. The Cary is a solid unit, and also pretty inexpensive.
christian_coach
9 posts
 
This is exactly the dilemna I am in. Are the new Codec's worth upgrading for? Someone above mentioned that the dialog is better with the new Codec's. I thought it was due to my center channel that dialog always seemed to get lost or not be strong enough to hear. One of my biggest peaves when watching a movie is adjusting the audio up and down from dialog to action sequence and back 25 times with Dolby Digital.
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