I have the MC-12. The MC-8 is built on the same architecture, but scaled down. I don't have hands-on experience with the MC-8.
I both listen to music and watch movies a lot through my system. For HT, there is no better than the Lexicon, in my opinion. They support all of the industry standard modes expertly, and add their own Logic7 into the mix. Certainly if you want to go with a 7 speaker setup instead of 5 (both .1 of course), the Lexicon will shine even more. In the new architecture, they have recoded Logic7 and it's more aggressive sounding, which has fairly unanimously been seen as a major step forward by those of us who have owned a series of Lexicon controllers.
For music, I personally think it's a wonderful piece. I listen mainly in 2-channel, and it wouldn't be worth it to me, in price or clutter, to add a dedicated preamp for two channel listening. A lot of people who own the Lexicon units who are music fans like it for it's simulated surround mode - Logic7 Music. Again, I think if you like this type of simulation, the Lexicon is at least equal to the best, if not the best. If you want 2-channel reproduction, it suits me very well in a system that is very revealing. I have seen reviewers whom I trust a great deal describe it as as-good as a very fine two-channel preamp, if not the very best SOTA preamps.
Usability is superb - well documented, easy to set up and use, but also very "deep" if you want to experiment. Lexicon has great customer support and has historically offered generous trade-in programs for upgrading.
If you're satisfied with your HT and are just looking to upgrade your music, you'd probably get as much for less by getting a really nice 2-channel preamp with HT pass-thru - a bit more complicated but less money.
I like the unit and the company. I am not associated with the A/V business in any way other than through charges against my cc.
Kirk
I both listen to music and watch movies a lot through my system. For HT, there is no better than the Lexicon, in my opinion. They support all of the industry standard modes expertly, and add their own Logic7 into the mix. Certainly if you want to go with a 7 speaker setup instead of 5 (both .1 of course), the Lexicon will shine even more. In the new architecture, they have recoded Logic7 and it's more aggressive sounding, which has fairly unanimously been seen as a major step forward by those of us who have owned a series of Lexicon controllers.
For music, I personally think it's a wonderful piece. I listen mainly in 2-channel, and it wouldn't be worth it to me, in price or clutter, to add a dedicated preamp for two channel listening. A lot of people who own the Lexicon units who are music fans like it for it's simulated surround mode - Logic7 Music. Again, I think if you like this type of simulation, the Lexicon is at least equal to the best, if not the best. If you want 2-channel reproduction, it suits me very well in a system that is very revealing. I have seen reviewers whom I trust a great deal describe it as as-good as a very fine two-channel preamp, if not the very best SOTA preamps.
Usability is superb - well documented, easy to set up and use, but also very "deep" if you want to experiment. Lexicon has great customer support and has historically offered generous trade-in programs for upgrading.
If you're satisfied with your HT and are just looking to upgrade your music, you'd probably get as much for less by getting a really nice 2-channel preamp with HT pass-thru - a bit more complicated but less money.
I like the unit and the company. I am not associated with the A/V business in any way other than through charges against my cc.
Kirk