Introduction 1 Introduction
to the DC-1
to the DC-1
DC-1 Digital Controller
Introduction
More than just a surround processor, the DC-1 is a digital control center with state-of-the-art performance and flexibility. A superb line level preamp, the DC-1 provides 8 audio, 5 video (3 S-VHS), and 4 digital (2 coaxial, 2 optical) inputs. The video and digital inputs can be assigned to any of the audio inputs for custom configuration. The digital inputs are processed through true 20-bit D/A converters, providing a level of performance not found in most stand-alone converters. Built-in digital crossovers make it possible to tailor the output to match any speakers in a system. There is also a second set of pre-outs with independent volume and source selection to accommo- date music in a separate zone.
A great deal of effort went into designing an instrument which would be flexible enough to satisfy the most critical listeners and yet be simple to operate. Essentially, the DC-1 is a signal processing computer that can be custom-programmed for any specific system. Once installed, it can be operated easily via a remote, providing effects tailored for your specific listening environment, and complete control of every aspect of operation.
The Lexicon DC-1 Digital Controller has a single goal: to draw you, the listener, more deeply into a musical performance or film. For music the DC-1 uses 5 or 7 channel digital processing to recreate the original recording space, or true stereo synthesis to create a new one of your choosing. For films, it offers Dolby Digital and Lexicon’s proprietary Logic 7™ enhance- ments to Pro Logic® surround decoding, along with the enhancements of the Lucasfilm® Home THX Cinema system. The increase in impact of a musical performance or film heard with the DC-1 is incredible.
To recreate the experience of being at a live musical performance, the DC-1 draws on ongoing studies of concert hall acoustics, and applies this research to home listening rooms. Our auditory sense is quite adept at interpreting clues about our physical environment. Even with your eyes closed, it is possible to get a good mental picture of the room or hall you are in by listening to the ambience, or reflected sound energy, in the room. We are not aware of our auditory perception of space in everyday life because it confirms what our eyes readily see. When we listen to recorded music, however, there are no visual clues and we rely completely on our sense of hearing.
More than thirty years ago, the introduction of two-speaker stereo systems brought dramatic improvement to high fidelity music reproduction. With a carefully designed system, and good recording, it became possible to produce a sonic picture of the original event. But, like a photograph hanging on a wall, conventional stereo is a two dimensional snapshot of the original event. We can appreciate the likeness, but the picture stays in front of us while we stay in our listening room. The DC-1 is designed to overcome this fundamental limitation of two-speaker reproduction and bring us closer to the ultimate goal of transporting ourselves to the original musical event.