Are lossless Codec's worth upgrading my processor

Yes, the new codecs are better. Are they "night and day" better, no. If your new BluRay player can decode the newer codecs, stick with your current processor and let the player do the decoding.

Your best bet might be to wait for the new Oppo BluRay Universal that is due out in a month or so. It will play every current shiny disc format and it will decode all the latest codecs for you. The price is supposed to be $499 - $599, a very good price for such a capable machine...

-RW-

GHStudio,

If you run a digital out from your blu-ray player you will only get DD and DTS, and NONE of the lossless codecs, it will be the same as any SD DVD, the new codecs can only pass over multichannel analog if the player decodes them or via HDMI.

I strongly disagree with RW, having had the new codecs in both my bedroom system (for > a year now) and in my reference system for several months now), the difference is HUGE. Once you hear DTS HD MA vs DTS or Dolby TrueHD vs DD you will never want to go back! When I first got a pre/pro that did them, I immediately stopped using SD DVD's as they sounded compressed and lifeless after the new codecs.

FWIW the DC2 is a pretty old unit, and I would recomend you replace it, but it's still a bit away for many of the new AV preamps to be released. The Denon, Integra and Marantz are out, so is the Krell Evo 707 (what I am using now) and I think Mark Levinson is shipping the #50 too, I hope by CES we have firm release dates for more, but they are coming, but I would start shopping for a new pre/pro, you are ready for one!

Thanks for the input. I think the Krell is just a little more than I wanted to spend :) I'm going to look for a used integra 9.8 to give the new codec's a try. I sort of suspect that the integra, even though it isn't "high end" will actually sound better than my Lexicon.

Kennyt,

Are you an audio dealer or manufacturer? You seem eager to get our friend Ghstudio into some new gear. :)

I admit, I have not heard the new formats, but it is hard to imagine how a movie's soundtrack could be improved much beyond DTS or Dolby on SD-DVD, assuming the preamp-processor, amplifier, and speakers are high quality. Personally, I often skip the ProLogic IIx overlay, and just enjoy the audio in 5.1 or 6.1. If the Lexicon has 7.1 analog input and the BluRay player has 7.1 analog output, then you can enjoy the new lossless formats without buying a new HDMI-enabled processor.

Javachip,

No, I have nothing to do with retail audio sales.

The DC-2 doesn't have a multichannel analog input as I recall, but your point is correct if it did/does.

I would encourage him to replace the pre/pro as that was a low model of early Lexicon and to me always sounded harsh and overly digital, and as you said, 'it is hard to imagine' you really need to TRY it and see if you don't notice a huge difference, I suspect you will as even on my receiver based bedroom system the difference is huge, even to my wife, forget about the reference rig!