Sorry I do not have experience with these processors. But, I have been searching around for processors to use for quite some time so I can relate.
MC-1 was recently compared to a Outlaw 990 on HT forum and the reviewer preferred the 990. I think they said the sound quality was similar but the increased switching options of the 990 won out. This isn't a slam to the Lex, but it's an old processor and many others have caught up to it and not what I think you should consider as leaps and bounds above the processors you have listened to on currently "top of the line". it's value on the used market is $1000-1200 and that's because it completes with processors in that price range.
Now, the Meridian is one that I think is closer to your goal. It's still very highly regarded and compared favourably with the current high end Meridian fare, with less processing options. And if you can get one for under $2K, go for it! I have never seen one that low. Remember the 568.2MM is different than the 568.
Here's my opinion again, you keep upping your price thinking/hoping you are going to be blown away by one of these new processors but the laws of diminishing returns are in full affect here. Your comments to date make it sound like you notice differences before but didn't think they were worth it. You may be in for dissapointment as these differences can be subtle, worth it to some, but not others.
The other thing that I have noticed is that you don't seem to know what you are looking for. You just want it to sound better. The best advice I can give is to go into the best, most expensive HT dealer in town with your favorite DVD and listen to a $50k system. You may be very surprize that it will sound great, but, not THAT much better. This method has solved many cases of upgraditis for me. I hope it helps you. If you have already done this, I don't mean to be insulting, it's just that I always recommend to others to start thinking about the sound more than the equipment.
MC-1 was recently compared to a Outlaw 990 on HT forum and the reviewer preferred the 990. I think they said the sound quality was similar but the increased switching options of the 990 won out. This isn't a slam to the Lex, but it's an old processor and many others have caught up to it and not what I think you should consider as leaps and bounds above the processors you have listened to on currently "top of the line". it's value on the used market is $1000-1200 and that's because it completes with processors in that price range.
Now, the Meridian is one that I think is closer to your goal. It's still very highly regarded and compared favourably with the current high end Meridian fare, with less processing options. And if you can get one for under $2K, go for it! I have never seen one that low. Remember the 568.2MM is different than the 568.
Here's my opinion again, you keep upping your price thinking/hoping you are going to be blown away by one of these new processors but the laws of diminishing returns are in full affect here. Your comments to date make it sound like you notice differences before but didn't think they were worth it. You may be in for dissapointment as these differences can be subtle, worth it to some, but not others.
The other thing that I have noticed is that you don't seem to know what you are looking for. You just want it to sound better. The best advice I can give is to go into the best, most expensive HT dealer in town with your favorite DVD and listen to a $50k system. You may be very surprize that it will sound great, but, not THAT much better. This method has solved many cases of upgraditis for me. I hope it helps you. If you have already done this, I don't mean to be insulting, it's just that I always recommend to others to start thinking about the sound more than the equipment.