both movies and music sound excellent and wonderful, 7 speaker system, music modes, video inputs and out.

None, lack of optical in.

I got my lexicon DC1 used but in as new condition v3.1 24bit. It is excellent both for musics and movies. (sweet, smooth, clear, precise, nice ..)
Especially, when it is connected to amp { either ATI 1505 or Parasound 2205A THX ) you will love the conbination.
Later, I upgraded DC1 to v4 for THX surround EX ( note: you need to have 7.1 setup in order to get this feature to work} but I did not so I do not know how it work. Overall, I will say it is the best preamp I ever have. Strongly suggest those, who are looking for an excellent preamp ( btw 2K to 5K, must consider DC1 before you decide to get other, ( note: you can get a used unit btw $1700-$2000 } it is too good for the money you pay.}
Note: it used to be $5300, one or two years ago. Even, the latest model of other preamps can not beat it. { Lexicon did not pay me to say it} It is also excellent for chinese songs and musics.

This is my setup
Totem tabu ( front spk } spk cable ( 12ft pair M2.4s}
paradigm c 450 center { 10 M2.4s}
paradigm ref 20 surr { 25 ft pair MIT T2}
subwoofer: JMlab sub 32A
source: Sony DSS, panasonic K510, pioneer LD ( used as CD transport}, ...
interconectors: Master cable M1500i, optical interlinks ...
amp: parasound 2205ATHX
from DC1 to amp interconnector : 5 1meter HK Hero

Note: is it any way to give 6 stars !
I will try MC1 soon.

Similar Products Used:

None

Logic-7, 7.1 channel modes, neutrality.

UGLY!, hard to read the display.

I when in a local pawnshop recently stumbled on an AMAZING discovery, a fully loaded dc-1 v1.11,mislabeled as a reverb unit for a guitar.
Unbeknownst to them what I paid was $145.00
not $1145,but $145.00 as one hundred and 45 dollars.
Expecting trouble out of something at that price, I ran into NO glitches, errors whatsoever........
THE UNIT:UGLY,ORANGE display could be changed, osd menus could be a little more stylish, but thats NOT A FACTOR!.

This is an amazing piece, well worh $2000+
Seek the newer dc-1 With 24 bit dacs.

Sound Clarity and the ultimate in user configuration

lack of multiple video record outputs

The Lexicon DC-1 is the best sounding digital processor on the market, at any price! It had the lowest noise ratio in the business, which makes you hear things in the movie that you never heard before. The bass is some of the tightest bass I have heard from a preamplifier, and it's customizable software is as flexible as it gets.

If you look hard enough, you can find DC-1's that have been part of Lexicon's trade-up program, for less than $1,500. I got mine for $1,200 without DTS, so I am now the proud owner of both a DC-1 (for my den), and an MC-1 (for my THX theater).

Beautiful sound fields including Logic 7 which is the best ever, ease of set-up considering it's complexity.

expense, no analog 6.1, not as upgradeable as originally thought; mine was produced in June 1998 and Lexicon no longer even mentions the DC-1.

A great pre-pro that simply sounds fantastic. I am not a Lexicon fanatic but I certainly see the benefit of buying used units after the initial price, which is extremely high, has come down to an affordable level. In all fairness, it's not Lexicon's fault that technology is evolving so repidly. While they do sponsor trade-in programs, it's still going to cost over a grand a year to own a current model and upgrade when the new models emerge. That's well worth it to many however, which demonstrates the inherent quality of the Lexicon products. I'm perfectly happy to own a slightly older model that does an excellent job. It's still better than anything on the market and nearly as good as their newer units. Add some decent amps and speakers and you have audiophile sound in surround that sounds so real you can't stop listening. For video, it basically produces 7.1 that's as good as anything out there and probably better. This product makes you invest in your system but if you can afford it, you won't be sorry.

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Various receivers with similar but inferior sound fields.

Amazingly flexible surround modes, extremely flexible input configurations, easy setup.

No component video switching, no composite-to-S-video conversion, no 6-channel analog input.

My system:

H/K FL8300 CD player, Pioneer DVL-909 LD/CD player, Lexicon DC-1 v4.0 (DD, DTS, THX Surround EX), H/K Signature 2.1 amp, NHT SuperTwos (front), SuperCenter (center), SuperOnes (sides), various game consoles, Sony Wega 24" TV.

The DC-1 is the first surround processor I've owned -- after hearing a DC-2 two years ago, I decided I would not buy a surround processor until I could afford a Lexicon. So I came into this purchase somewhat biased.

I bought this DC-1 factory refurbished, through Audio Classics. The unit has been upgraded with 24/96 DACs (at the factory), although it is only capable of handling 16/48 bitstreams. The unit also has been upgraded to the most recent control/decoding software, which includes matrix decoding for a rear channel in THX/DD/DTS material.

I used the Lexicon as a stereo-only preamp for the first two months, while searching for an appropriate amp for my budget (see my Signature 2.1 review elsewhere on this site), and it did not disappoint. It replaced my Audio Alchemy DLC, a unit with a quieter noise floor, but far less functionality. Even in stereo-only mode, the Lexicon offered a useful surround enhancement, Panorama, which worked well to expand the soundstage of most stereo recordings (although it's not suitable for all material -- anything with a vague stereo image to begin with will only get worse). I regard the DLC as a superior preamp if you have no interest in surround sound AND good D/A conversion in your CD/DVD player -- it's not just more cost-effective, it's technically superior in most measurements. However, the Lexicon is certainly an excellent 2-channel preamp in its own right.

Recently, when I finally bought my amp, I completed my home theater installation, and have been uniformly delighted with the Lexicon's performance. Pro Logic decoding can be poorly done when the channel balance is not appropriately set, and the DC-1 is a big help with that, doing it dynamically as the program material plays. Dolby Digital decoding is a straightforward mathematical function, and so as long as the DSP involved isn't damaged, there's nothing good or bad to say. What the DC-1 does that makes it a terrific value over both of those is add Lexicon's Logic 7 steering. Logic 7 makes Dolby Pro Logic MUCH more exciting than it is by itself, and the difference is not subtle with loud, effects-filled soundtracks. Logic 7 also provides noticeable improvements to DD soundtracks, although not as radical as with Pro Logic. I don't own a DTS-capable DVD player, so I have to leave that uncommented.

Another thing the DC-1 does better than any other receiver or preamp I've heard is surround synthesis from mono or stereo sources. If you've got a decent collection of recordings from before 1960 (I listen to a lot of big-band jazz from the '20s-'50s, so this applies to me), the Mono Logic mode is simply a revelation. Music Logic works similarly well for more recent stereo recordings, especially overproduced heavy metal, where the engineers have taken great pains to keep the vocals centered. Don't try these modes on voice-only recordings, like stand-up comedy, as dialogue will occasionally leak to the back channels, and this sounds bizarre and unpleasant. Then again, the sense of being surrounded by a single voice OUGHT to be weird.

The "simulated space" modes are the best of their kind that I've heard -- nightclub, church, cathedral, etc. I find the "church" mode vastly preferable to the "cathedral" mode for that kind of effect -- the decay time for just about any sound in the cathedral mode is mind-blowingly long, and tweaking it down to something natural-sounding makes it effectively equivalent to the church mode. All of them make for neat echo effects, and I even found the church mode preferable for parts of some video game soundtracks, but I would just as soon listen to recordings in Music Logic or Logic 7 as any of these effects.

If you're a video gamer, I strongly encourage experimentation with this unit as you go through game soundtracks. Different parts of "Final Fantasy VIII" sounded best in Logic 7, Music Logic, Music Surround, Hall or Church. Constant fiddling with the settings might detract from the gaming experience, but allow yourself a little time to explore what the DC-1 can do.

The DC-1 clearly shows itself to be a '96-'97 vintage product on the back panel, with few S-video and no component video inputs. But unless you've actually got 3 DVD players in your system, who cares? You can get as much mileage as you need out of the existing inputs (any video input can be assigned to any audio input, and the same is true for the 4 digital ins). And the surround processing it offers simply shames any receiver I've heard. If you don't feel a pressing need for Pro Logic II or the new discrete rear-channel modes for DD or DTS, the DC-1 will give you everything you could ever ask for in a surround preamp. Just hope you can find a unit in good condition...

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Numerous receivers and preamps auditioned, none owned.

I currently have the marantz dp870u ac3 processor, so i have the upgrade bug, and i'm looking for a new processor, i checked out the dc1 at harvey sound 46th st nyc the system was a dv09 dvd player $2k, to the dc1 $5k connect to 2 bryson amps $4k to venna accoustics speakers $7k = $18k, i'm sorry but this system didn't cut it, i was not impressed at all, the dc1 sounded very dull, maybe it was the room but save your $$

I'm sorry, but please disregard what you hear from Duke......In the high-end world of audio, the Lexicon is currently leading the pack, in both quality of sound, and ease of use. I recently purchased the DC1, along with Lexicon's NT series amplifiers. The speakers I am using are THX certified Snell speakers. The sound is nothing short of stunning, and unless you are planning on purchasing a system costing $70,000, this is the BEST possibly sound setup. Not only from the Lexicon equipment, but also from the snell THX system. It really must be heard, to be fully appreciated. As for Duke, over here, he's probably just angry, because he knows how the Lexicon sounds, and how, because of it's price, he'll never get one.... I give this fine piece of machinery 5 stars, for being nothing short of stunning.

The DC-1 is by far the best surround processor I have listened to. If you are looking for a DTS, DD, THX surround processor look no further. The DC-1 is worth every penny!

I agree with the others- this is a fine piece. It replaced a b&k avp2030 in my system and it is a huge improvement. I suggest anyone interested check it out for themselves but here are my thoughts: its super easy to configure- the instructions are the best and clearest available- its surround modes (music logic) are helpful not annoying like you would find on a reciever- and its implimentation of dts and dd 5.1 are excellent and more adjustable than most other products out there. The criticism of the unit's sonic abilities is that the sound is just straightfoward and almost "workmanlike" (if you can attach an actual sonic quality to that). other processors like the EAD Theatermaster supposedly add some richness to 2 channel music; but are either equal to or fall short of the dc-1 in terms of home theater applications. also, there are some rumors that lexicon will release a dc-2 or -3 in the near future so be warned. some people are selling used dc-1s for around $3,000. All that said, in my opinion, this is the best home theater pre amp out there for any price. Highly recommended!

Even Though I knew Lexicon was releasing The DC-2 I purchased a fully loaded DC-1 with DTS from m local dealer. Although It cost me 3K, this has to be the best 3k I've spent in a long time. The DC-1 is really easy to configure, the sound is superb, and the imaging is remarkable. I would suggest to anyone interested in a topnotch Home Theatre it would be a travesy not to fully evaluate the DC-1 before purchasing any other processor.