New Pre/Pro for 2 ch guy? (+How easy to set up RC in top units like Lyngdorf, etc)?

Went with the Lyngdorf MP40. Fingers crossed on the 2ch SQ

I think you made a good decision and are gonna be very happy.  IME the excellent room correction goes a long way to overwhelming any other lingering sound quality concerns.  When you listen with and without RC I think you’ll see what I mean.  Be interested to hear your thoughts, and yeah, I’m jealous. 

However, been reading that something like a Lyngdorf sounds great, and room correction could make a big diff even in 2 channel.

My experience after hearing Lyngdorf’s technology in his previous TacT technology in a $300,000 stereo system, go for it.  I’m an audio purist and not at all a favor of adding extra equipment or connections, but the benefit or Lyngdorf’s older tech was so profound I wouldn’t live without it.  Without the TacT RC this otherwise excellent system sounded positively broken.  I’d have to think Lyngdorf has advanced his processing since then, and I’d say go for it.  It’s truly revelatory.  FWIW, and best of luck. 

Yes, if you want a wet blanket thrown over your speakers definitely get the McIntsh gear. Good luck with that.

soix, why the snooty response to the consideration of a Mc preamp? You were very nice in your original response.

My apologies. Admittedly I’m not a McIntosh fan. I worked for Magnolia for a bit and when they had the KEF Blades hooked up to Macs they sounded mushy, compromised, and not performing at the level they were capable of. But, if you like the sound and it works in your system by all means go for it, but the Lyngdorf processing is pretty darn special. If you want more Mac flavor in your system that’s probably your boy, but if you think you could use a little more upper mid and treble detail and air I’d go with the Lyngdorf. Again, best of luck in whatever you end up choosing.

However, from what I understand, the McIntosh processors do not have this laid back / mushy sound.  Can you confirm this?

@auxinput No, but the house sound is consistent and clear.  Have you heard the McIntosh or Lyngdorf pre/pros.  I think you’d agree that if you want a more syrupy, warm sound go with the Mac.  If you want a more neutral, spatial type sound go with the Lyngdorf.  Like I said, the TacT made a $300k 2-channel system sound broken when the TacT RC wasn’t employed.  What’s your experience with either?

So my concern is that the MX Dac implementation/SQ will not be as good as my Esoteric K-03 CD/SACD, which is somewhat legendary. 

Well, that would’ve been good to know up front.  I’ve wasted my time and I’m out.  Best of luck. 

That is my overall concern, getting good 2 channel sound out of a processor or going to a 2 piece processor and preamp setup.

My advice, if 2-channel is important, is to buy a good, dedicated stereo preamp and feed the preamp outs of an AVP into the stereo pre. The performance of a good stereo pre will be much better than that of an AVP. If I’m you I get an Anthem AVP and a good stereo pre that meets your tastes in your system and you’ll be much better off. In this setup you can run your excellent Esoteric right into the stereo preamp and keep it completely separate from the HT processing in your system. So sorry I didn’t recommend this earlier — my bad.  If you still want room correction for 2-channel, go with the Lyngdorf — it’s what they do.  I wouldn’t buy a Lyngdorf amp, and I wouldn’t buy McIntosh room correction as each has their inherent strengths and capabilities.  Again, hope this helps in some way, and best of luck.