Surround Processor Reviews

As for multichannel music, the MC-8/RT-10 combo gives you more options than any player I know of. The headliner is naturally SACD and DVD-Audio, and well-handled recordings in either format sound outstanding through this combo. While I would have liked to see a high-resolution/multichannel digital connection from the RT-10 to the MC-8—even a proprietary one—the RT-10's DACs won't leave you feeling robbed in any way. It also sounds like the analog audio signals are leaving the MC-8 with the exact sound they entered with, a belief I confirmed when I temporarily connected the RT-10 directly to the LX-7. Two-channel signals can get multichannel treatment from LOGIC7, Pro Logic II, Neo:6, or Ultra 2 Music. All four options had their strengths and weaknesses, but I ultimately spent more time with LOGIC7 and Pro Logic II. LOGIC7 got my final nod, but it was a photo finish. Almost all of the matrixed, multichannel schemes have improved considerably over the last few years, but LOGIC7 still remains the most natural to my ear. No matter the format, the MC-8 will make it sound good.

The MC-8 offers even more options for movie soundtracks, but I imagine that most users will spend plenty of time with straight DTS or Dolby Digital 5.1. You should be more than pleased with what you hear, based on the MC-8's sense of resolution with even standard-definition—and, in this case, lossy—material. Band of Brothers, my current favorite for soundtrack demos, offered up a stark realism that's critical for immersing (or should I say embedding) yourself in this movie. Once the bullets start flying by your head and the floor starts rumbling with the report of heavy artillery, you'll be looking for a foxhole yourself. Speed, dynamics, and resolution were the foundation, but warmth and approachability (even amidst all of the cacophony of war) were still the hook.

Even an audio guy has to admit that video presentation is an important part of the immersion process, and the RT-10 does most everything it can to facilitate that. It seemed equally at ease reproducing the choppy, lightning-paced images of and the smooth, fluid motion of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The color reproduction and black levels of the latter film particularly grabbed my attention, and this is where the RT-10 separates itself from the pack. Its motion handling, especially through the progressive output, is right on par with other high-end players. However, in terms of accuracy, saturation, and stability, its color reproduction is among the best I've seen. The RT-10's 3:2 recognition is also excellent, and even unflagged material came off relatively well.

Even in the high end, the goal is never to please everybody—that simply can't be done. It never hurts to please as many people as you can, though, and Lexicon is certainly on that track with the MC-8 and RT-10. The latter won't rest on its symbolism alone; it's a top-shelf performer worthy of the Lexicon name. You pay extra for that Lexicon skin and tweaking, but I seriously doubt that you'll ever feel that you wasted your money. As for the MC-8, I don't think there's a whole lot more you could ask for from a $6,000 or $7,000 pre/pro. It's loaded with features, it offers control you can't find anywhere else outside of Lexicon, it's easy to use despite its complex nature, and it has a sound that's closer than you might expect to the almost-peerless MC-12. As with all Lexicon products, you can trade in your older Lexicon gear (for a limited time) for substantial upfront savings on the MC-8. This latest-generation pre/pro may not please everybody, but I figure it will come about as close as anything has yet.

Highlights

• The MC-8 offers the MC-12's features at the MC-1's price
• The RT-10 plays almost everything—and rather well
• Valuable trade-in program for upfront savings

MC-8 Pre/Pro:
Unbalanced $5,995
Balanced $6,995
RT-10 Universal Disc Player $3,495