Which way to go? Meridian 568.2 or Lexicon Mc-1 v4


My last thread was "Using Yamaha RXV1 as a Pre-Pro, Which way is up?

I received in my opinion some very sound advice.
I have come to the conclusion that in order for me to hear a significant difference in sound I have to get an used top of the line pre-pro. after looking diligently I have narrowed it down to the Meridian 568.2 or the Lexicon Mc-1 v4. I can get these for under 2k.
If you have personally used these products or have personally heard them I would like to hear your opinion. If you have used other pre-pros such as Theta, Proceed, Krell, etc.I would like to hear what you have to say.

By the way, I applied a simple tweak for my B&W 801's and got amazing results ie the tightness and a little more depth on the bass. instead of buying 500 hundred dollar speaker stands I purchased 12 dollars worth of cement blocks, covered them with decorative cloth to match the speaker cabinets and I am happy and my wife doesn't have to look at an eye-sore.

the next improvement is the pre-pro then I will look at acoustics.
samuelvelma
Sorry I do not have experience with these processors. But, I have been searching around for processors to use for quite some time so I can relate.

MC-1 was recently compared to a Outlaw 990 on HT forum and the reviewer preferred the 990. I think they said the sound quality was similar but the increased switching options of the 990 won out. This isn't a slam to the Lex, but it's an old processor and many others have caught up to it and not what I think you should consider as leaps and bounds above the processors you have listened to on currently "top of the line". it's value on the used market is $1000-1200 and that's because it completes with processors in that price range.

Now, the Meridian is one that I think is closer to your goal. It's still very highly regarded and compared favourably with the current high end Meridian fare, with less processing options. And if you can get one for under $2K, go for it! I have never seen one that low. Remember the 568.2MM is different than the 568.

Here's my opinion again, you keep upping your price thinking/hoping you are going to be blown away by one of these new processors but the laws of diminishing returns are in full affect here. Your comments to date make it sound like you notice differences before but didn't think they were worth it. You may be in for dissapointment as these differences can be subtle, worth it to some, but not others.

The other thing that I have noticed is that you don't seem to know what you are looking for. You just want it to sound better. The best advice I can give is to go into the best, most expensive HT dealer in town with your favorite DVD and listen to a $50k system. You may be very surprize that it will sound great, but, not THAT much better. This method has solved many cases of upgraditis for me. I hope it helps you. If you have already done this, I don't mean to be insulting, it's just that I always recommend to others to start thinking about the sound more than the equipment.
Porsche - Your experience is (much) different than mine. The Lexicon that I heard was dog-butt awful on music. The new ones are better, but that's only because of the general concensus regarding the old ones.

Samuel - I Agree with Porsche about the CAL piece, but I have serious concerns about OOB outfits when a processor's concerned. If the price is right OK - then also put Golden Theater and EAD in your shortlist. In fact I thought the EAD was a great HT value when new.

Just remember as much as a value an OOB processor is today, it'll only continue to drop very rapidly in value, so don't expect much in a couple of years, but then again, processors drop fast anyway.
Good luck
Agreed on the OOB.

Golden Theater, Proceed, Cal Audio (some rumblings or emerging again makes me VERY happy), and EAD.

Actually own pieces of all of the above. Proceed can still be repaired, so still a fine deal.
Get the Rotel RSP1068, good bang for the buck.....why do you feel the need for the Meridian and Lexicon? After hearing many models it is more of a lateral shift in performance then most will admit, I run a tube pre thru the multi bypass for 2 channel, for movies who cares?