swapping Lexicon MC-8 for either Emotiva UMC-200 or Outlaw 975 - good move?

[ymi5150]

hi there, new to the boards here. looking for some advice.

its largely triggered by the purchase of an Epson 8500 projector. I was perfectly content dealing with HDMI direct to my tv with the Lexicon lacking HDMI but that's a hassle with a projector. Overall I'm happy with the Lexicon. dont use most of its features, multi room, etc. dont need balanced outputs. just want great sound.

The compounding factor is I have a first generation Pioneer Elite BDP94-HD. Great sound and picture but lacks DTS-HD and is painfully slow to load.

My choices appear to be:

Live with the Pioneer and Lexicon and get an HDMI router to the Epson.

Sell the Lexicon, basically give the Pioneer away, and get a new processor and BDP. Since I'm largely happy with the existing system, I dont want to dump a ton more money in so I'm focusing on the above two processors. The outlaw does not have 7.1 in which is sort of a showstopper because I have and want to continue to use my Arcam DV137 for SACD and DVDA so I require those analog ins. I could rely on the next BDP for SACD and use HDMI for transfer but the Arcam is an incredible source player. I could sell the Arcam as well and get one audiophile level multi disc player.

Question are:

is the Emotiva in the same sonic and video ballpark as the Lexicon? Or is this rift not worth the effort for essentially a faster BDP load speed and DTS-HD?

does it make sense to combine into one player and lose the investment of the Arcam. My thought is no. My requirements on a BDP are simple. Great picture and sound. Dont need to stream, wifi, SACD, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[gene]

That Lexicon processor is a very good product despite it lacking some of the latest features. You may want to wait for a more comparable processor with top notch dacs like the new XMC-1 from Emotiva or the new Marantz unit.

If you're not using HDMI video switching in the processor, you could simply buy an Oppo BDP-105 and use it as a high end Blu-ray, CD player and Preamp and Switcher. This would simplify your stack and put some extra cash in your pocket selling all that used gear.

Per my review:
Oppo BDP-105 Audiophile Universal Blu-ray Player Review — Reviews and News from Audioholics

You're not going to better than analog audio performance of the BDP-105 IMO.