Lexicon MC8 gets a pasting in HFN

[Madge]

HiFi News have a technical review of the MC8 this month in which they say a lot of positive things about the MC8, but in the end give it a thumbs down.

One thing that seemed to jump out at me was that they perfectly described the Lexicon sound (well, how I remember the MC1 sounding) including Logic 7, then arbitrarily decide that this is a bad thing. Anyone else read this?

[dunkyboy]

What was it they said about the Lexicon sound? (I'll get around to buying the mag eventually...)



Dunc

[Uncle Eric]

Dunc,

I'm afraid Hi Fi News have cocked up big time with the MC-8.



A few major points,

Firstly, the reviewer (Colin Miller) only used a 5.1 set-up which is not only silly but is a disservice to one of Lexicons best features namely the Logic 7 processing.

One of Lexicons forte's is the conversion of 2 channel music into Logic 7 (which should obviously be played through a 7.1 speaker system). This was also not done. Going back to 5.1, when using a 7.1 speaker system, Logic 7 will steer the 2 surround channels over 4 surround speakers. As the reviewer was only using a 5.1-speaker set-up in Logic 7 mode, what and to where was the MC-8 going to steer to? Without these additional 2 channels, complex phase enhancements are missing from the surround soundfields. If Mr Miller carries on like this, he may have to be sent to the What Hi Fi school of reviewers.

[Jeff]

Hmmm, not sure I agree, if the Lex can't do equally well in 5.1 theres something amiss.

[Uncle Eric]

Jeff,

It can do well in 5.1

Trouble is, they had Logic 7 engaged which really needs 7 channels (plus sub/s) to do it's stuff.

[Madge]

I now find myself sitting somewhere between Eric's position and Jeff's.



I accept that if you want to listen to music with the Lex, then Logic 7 is the way to go. 2-channel doesn't cut the mustard.

BUT, if it doesn't work that well in five channel mode, then that is a valid criticism of the MC8 (and I guess the MC12). You shouldn't need seven satellites in order to listen to 2 channel music properly. Especially not when Meridian reckon they can do it with just three. :?~:-?~:???:

[Uncle Eric]

Mark,

Again all is not what it seems.

Have you read Millers review or played with an MC8 or MC12 recently?



I'll post up a few more words later this evening.

[Madge]

Mark,

Again all is not what it seems.

Have you read Millers review or played with an MC8 or MC12 recently?



I'll post up a few more words later this evening.


Read it when I first got the issue, it's sitting under my chair at the moment :)~:-)~:smile:

Looking forward to your thoughts. images/smiley_icons/icon_thumbsup.gif

[Nic Rhodes]

This reminds me of KK reviewing the Tag PS DVD32FLR, component outputs (interlaced and progressive) and RGB but he only uses it with SVideo (interlaced only). He still said it was the best picture he had seen but he hadn't even tried most of the selling points of the DVD32R / FLR/ PSM 192! and it was on a crpappy onld generation solarized Marantz! Now I wonder if he used the Tag sync link?....



AND people wonder why I am critical of the HFNs

[Uncle Eric]

AND people wonder why I am critical of the HFNs


What's worse is that the UK AV press actually goes downhill after HFN's :(

[mariner]

the first thing I did with my new credit card was to take out a subscription to stereophile gtht. (the 2nd. thing was to transfer one of my overdrafts :lol:)

[Madge]

This reminds me of KK reviewing the Tag PS DVD32FLR, component outputs (interlaced and progressive) and RGB but he only uses it with SVideo (interlaced only). He still said it was the best picture he had seen but he hadn't even tried most of the selling points of the DVD32R / FLR/ PSM 192! and it was on a crpappy onld generation solarized Marantz! Now I wonder if he used the Tag sync link?....



AND people wonder why I am critical of the HFNs


That was a good laugh, normally I rate KK quite highly, but that review amused me no end. :lol:

[Madge]

Finally found my copy of HFN with this in (Eric, will scan it and e-mail ASAP). Now Nic B will not like me for saying this, but I feel that the choice of loudspeakers used may have had something to do with the results. I'm not entirely sure that B&W Nautillae are suited to the Lexicon, as they are very much imaging speakers IMHO, as opposed to soundfield creators. I still feel that Logic 7 should get better with 7 speakers rather than worse with 5, if you see my point?