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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

Showing 6 responses by ghstudio

ghstudio OP
141 posts
 
Thanks for the input. I think the Krell is just a little more than I wanted to spend :) I'm going to look for a used integra 9.8 to give the new codec's a try. I sort of suspect that the integra, even though it isn't "high end" will actually sound better than my Lexicon.
ghstudio OP
141 posts
 
The DC-2 was the flagship of Lexicon, not a low model...but electronics have come a long way. It does not have 7 channel analog input, but it can be easily modified for $185.

Alternatively, I can buy a used Integra 9.8 for $800 which has the latest lossless codecs and probably will sound better than the DC-2, just because it uses much more recent chips.
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.
ghstudio OP
141 posts
 
cruz123....the DC-2 does not have the analog inputs to handle this. I could get it upgraded for $175...but I am thinking that maybe the Integra 9.8/9.9 will actually provide better sound than the 1999 vintage DC-2....so I can put that $175 towards buying one of them.
ghstudio OP
141 posts
 
Actually, I could buy the Panasonic 35 and save another $100....so I would have $275 towards buying the Integra gear...plus of course whatever I get for the DC2 (V4)
ghstudio OP
141 posts
 
That's exactly why some bluray players have built in decoding and analog outputs....you only need to decode in one place. Just connect the analog outputs to your processor using 6 cables...not 5.
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