Lexicon DC1 v TAG AV32R  

Hi Steve,

I just bought an AV32R and I have a review of it here:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/...ML/031524.html

You will also find comparisons with the MC-1 (DC-1's big brother, but then you knew that http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif ) there. I feel that the TAG is the sonically superior unit, but the Lex has more features. The bottom line:

Go buy the AV32R and don't look back! I did http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

No analog by pass for SACD in the TAG unit? That a deal breaker for me. I gave up having 7.1 channels for now so they I could have superior analog 2 channel bypass on my Cal Audio labs unit. Is it as good as the Cal with digital stuff? Lexicon is excellent for movies but no competition for the CAl unit on 2 channel, not even close. You will have to get something like an AR reference II tube pre-amp to beat it. I have been auditioning 2 channel pre-amps as I am thinking of giving up hometheater but so far none are better, in fact most are not as good as the CAl SSP-2500. Have you heard the Cal ssp-2500 yet? I'd like to know how they compare on digital sound since the Tag can't do analog.

I have been very happy with the MC-1. Haven't had the opportunity to evalutate the TAG, so I can't help there.

As to component switching ... I don't use the pre-pro for switching. I have a dedicated matrix switch to provide capabilities I wouldn't have with any pre-pro.

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D. Erskine
DEsign Cinema Privee
www.DEsignCinema.com
Imagine what you could do, if you could do all you imagine.

I agree with Dennis on the matrix switcher, if switch you must. No sense in compromising the signal any more then you have to.
I would compare the AV32R with the MC-1, not the DC-1. The MC-1 has more features but the AV32R has a sonic edge. Depends on your priorities. Both are a pleasure to use.

BTW, the AV32R does something interesting when used with our new DVD32R transport. Since we STRONGLY recomment connecting the source directly to the display, we decided to provide on screen graphics for the AV32R via the DVD32R interface. By connecting a simple piece of CAT 5 between the two, the DVD32R will display menus and other onscreen information from the processor via it's internal video circuitry. This way you get no compromise video and processor On Screen Display, even with component video!

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Buzz Goddard
TAG Mclaren Audio

[This message has been edited by Buzz Goddard (edited 01-07-2001).]

I am currently thinking about getting a new high-end pre/pro, and both the Lexicon DC-2 and the Tag/McLaren AV32R are near the top of my list. However, I was wondering how important people thought component video switching is in this day and age of progressive scan DVDs and HDTV. Neither the Lex nor the TAG have component video switching, which is making me lean towards the B&K Ref 30. Any thoughts?