Quote:
Originally Posted by
jdlynch 
It's more a question of the best route to take my system from its present state.
It's almost time to retire my 15 year old Lexicon DC-1. I have a couple options: stay with Lexicon (and use an anti-mode device) or move to a pre/pro that includes Audyssey XT32 and have it all in one box.
I really have become accustomed to the Lexicon sound and fear, even though it is aged, that I will not be as happy with the surround processing of any other manufacturer that supports Audyssey. The Denon AVP sounds like something I would like to try, but, it is at a price that is out of my budget.
I am leaning towards a used Lexicon MC-8 + an automatic Bass EQ device like the Anti-Mode. I don't have the interest or time to purchase and learn how to use measurement equipment and manually EQ my bass.
BTW; Thanks to all who have supported this thread. It has provided me with a lot of reading material and useful information to help me with my decision.
If the money is there, I wouldn't hesitate to retire your current, fifteen year old AVR, today. As to your love of sound, it's all what you're use to. If I might, an anecdotal story.
Question, do you like cranberry sauce?
Thanksgiving day, several decades ago, my bother brought a college chum home for Thanksgiving who was native to and grew up in Indonesia. The guy quite literally gagged on everybody's favorite, cranberry sauce. Guess he didn't like the cranberry sauce.

Cranberry sauce not agreeing with his cultural taste buds doesn't make cranberry sauce bad. It just means he has a ways to go before acclimating to America's taste in cranberry sauce. Same thing with the sound quality of your Lexicon DC-1.
If reproduction gear is spec'd flat, it's all the same. But if the engineers "colored" the sound, then it's not flat and the sound lacks neutrality. The point, a note, is a note, is a note, unless it's been colored. May someone correct me on this if wrong, as capacitors age, so goes the quality of sound as the sound shifts to the new standard the aged capacitors add to the information stream.
You can find what products have XT32 on this page.
Regarding XT32, without question, that would be the way to go; all-in-one. When I purchased our Marantz, SR5007, like you I was upgrading and having been out of the loop, didn't have a clue about Audyssey or room analyzing programs as back in the day, it was all done by ear or one hired some pricy dude with even pricier gear to balance the room's acoustics for you. Now, we have way cool processors to do it for us.
As to which road to take, I can't say. If the money is there, go with a new AVR with XT32 installed. If the money isn't there, go with an Anti-Mode, 8033S II.
Hope the above ramblings lend some clarity to your quest.
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Edited by BeeMan458 - 12/15/12 at 9:39am