Lexicon vs Meridian

No one does surround steering like Lexicon. The Proceed will smoke the DC-2 in 2 channel, but get nudged out in surround steering and speed. Meridian? I have only experienced the 861, which is superior to both, the DC-2/AVP.

I haven't listened to the current Lexicon offerings and my Meridian processort is a pre-DTS version, but I had the big Lexicon in my system at that time, and it sounded far more artificial (if that is possible) than the Meridian. Better than both, at least by 'analog' standards was the then cheap Fosgate- not the top of the line. It actually sounded decent.

These things must go pretty cheaply in the used market, yes?

And, what about the Theta, or the older big Meridian, I think it was the 800 series?

You can throw Theta, 800 Meridian, Bryston, Anthem, and surely a few others in this mix, but I think Jamesw20 has selected the above because they all sell on the preowned market in the $500 to $850 price points. The Thetas (CasaNova/Blanca), Meridian 861, Bryston, and Anthems do not fall into this category.

I could be wrong, but this is my bet.

I have a 565 with the Z3 upgrade (and a stack of other 500 series gear feeding Meridian digital and active analogue speakers. Kind of tricky to setup unless you're patient, but the results are worth it. . .absolutely nothing that is artificial or exaggerated about the sound. I'd call it effortless.