I know one of the beta testers is comparing these two units in his system and has been very impressed in how the 950 has stacked up. A visit to Lexicon's web site and a quick look at the MC-12 specs shows they are using the same DSP decoder (Cirrus Logic's CS49326)as the 950. I know that does not explain all, but it sure shows me the Outlaws have good taste! I also believe Krell may be using the same DSP in their pre/pro.

That Cirrus DSP chip is what decodes the Dolby Digital and DTS streams. It's what the processors do with that data after it is decoded that separates them from one another. Lexicon's strength is their Logic 7 matrix decoder which does an incredible job of converting 2 channel material into a very natural sounding multi-channel presentation. It also expands on 5.1 sources and (on the MC-12) 6.1 sources. On top of that, they continue to refine Logic 7 constantly.

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Sanjay

Sanjay,

You are certainly right about the strengths of the Lex MC-12 unit- and the fact that what DSP decoder used isn't the only piece of the "puzzle" that is important. Interestingly, Logic 7 is probably included as one of the functions decoded by the programmable, mult-channel Cirrus CS449326 DSP engine. Thanks for your input!

Isn't Logic 7 proprietary to Lexicon?

Matthew,
Yes, and best I know JBL/Harmon Kardon also have it (all under the Harmon International umbrella)
Part of the reason I looked up the Latest HK receiver when I was going different directions, as it had Logic 7, very highly rated
Therefore if the Cirrus matches L7, very good job on Outlaws part. JMO

JBL and HK have Logic 7 because they and Lexicon are all part of the Harman International group. I very much doubt that the Cirrus chip does the L7 decoding -- that code is proprietary to Lexicon and they have not shown any interest in licensing it outside their group. Interestingly it appears as though the new Mark Levinson processor ($40K) will not have L7 even though it was originally on the feature list.

I dhoubt whether anything Cirrus can produce will come close to L7 -- that code has been revised, tweaked, and tested for years and, IMHO, is about as good as it gets. OK I am a biased MC-12B owner, but every time I switch that thing on, it amazes me.

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Nigel Pond
SMR Home Theatre
SMR Forums
SMR Group
HighFidelityReview

I understand Logic 7 is a proprietary process. I also said the chip was programmable- therefore a company could (might) use the chip to decode its proprietary DSP. Hey, I could be wrong! I believe I have seen it mentioned on the Cirrus web site that they have worked with Logic 7 or have the capability to decode same. Some consider the DSP chip to be the "engine" in the processor unit. My origial post was really intended to compliment the Outlaws for using a DSP that Lexicon felt was worthy enough to use in their unit costing 10 times as much! Sorry for the confusion. Thanks for your replies!

Steves,

You didn’t confuse me, in my vague way I get it all and good point. In old cars the Ford & Chevy with the big block (Cirrus chip in question) is mostly gonna beat the pants of the small blocks (some other inferior chip). These guys are concerned with the headers, the drive train, (is it turbo charged). That does make all the difference, but its very nice to know that Outlaw is using some of the ‘big boy parts’.
Also, waiting with bated breath, for the Lexicon Beta tester’s further studies into the Cirrus surround modes Vs his Logic 7 (he stated he would focus on this subject soon).
Everyone knows the Lexicon is a beautiful piece, and if the Lex. Beta guy says it comes pretty close, then it will be another plus for Outlaw, like their Zoran algorithms Vs THX EX, and their 1050 smallish 65 watts; (acts like 100+).
I bet the first guy that put Nitrous on his itty-bitty foreign car, had the crowd laughing silly, (…that guys gonna explode!) until he blew the pants off the Big block.
No one (I think) expects the 950 to trash the MC, but if it stays on the bumper, WOW.
There are many ways to tweak an engine, (some of them downright strange).
I don’t care how it’s done, as long as I put my foot to the pedal and the power’s there. (and I don’t blow up).

Lena

I like your analogy there. Seems pretty fitting (and I'm also looking forward to hearing the MC-12 beta tester's thoughts on the CES modes as compared to the MC-12's Logic 7).

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Gonk

Lena,

Thanks for the translation!

Gonk,

I see his thoughts on that subject are posted over there now.