Lexicon Lexicon MC-12 manual Getting Started, About the MC-12

Getting Started

Lexicon

ABOUT THE MC-12

Thank you for purchasing the MC-12 Digital Controller, a reference- quality, 12-channel audio and video control center with independent zone monitoring to provide control of input source selection in three zones at the same time. As flexible as it is powerful, the MC-12 includes 12 configurable inputs, each of which can be assigned to its 13 digital audio, 8 analog audio, 5 composite video, 8 S-video, or 4 component video input connectors. The analog audio input connectors can be configured for stereo or 5.1-channel sources.

Beyond the standard 5.1-channel audio output connectors, the rear panel includes stereo rear and stereo subwoofer connectors, as well as stereo auxiliary connectors to provide even more audio channels. All Main Zone audio output connectors include 24-bit/ 96kHz D/A converters operating in dual differential mode. In addition, the MC-12 Balanced includes balanced audio output connectors for all Main Zone and Zone 2 channels.

Inside and out, the MC-12 is designed to remain viable in a future of emerging technologies. Two RS-232 connectors are provided for serial control, one to perform flash-memory software upgrades and configuration tool downloads and another to support future expansion. A removable access panel is provided to accommodate new connectors. Inside, two expansion slots are available for future hardware upgrades, making it possible to more than quadruple the MC-12’s tremendous processing power.

More than just an audio and video control center, the MC-12 features the latest version of Lexicon’s critically acclaimed LOGIC7 decoding, which derives 7.1-channel output from stereo, 5.1-, and 6.1-channel sources. Unlike other decoders, LOGIC7 is compatible with all input sources and requires no special encoding. Because the improvement it provides is clearly audible, LOGIC7 decoding is widely regarded as the finest available.

In addition to LOGIC7, the MC-12 is also equipped with Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic, dts 96/24, dts NEO:6, dts-ES, THX Ultra2, and THX Surround EX decoding. THX Ultra2 Certification guarantees that the MC-12 meets the highest THX performance specifications.

With four 32-bit floating-point SHARC™ digital signal processing (DSP) engines, the MC-12 offers unparalleled processing power . These DSP engines perform custom Lexicon processing such as LOGIC7 decoding, bass enhancement, dialog enhancement, auto azimuth, 5-speaker enhancement, bass management, high- precision digital crossovers, and tone controls. This processing is available at sample rates up to 96kHz, with 24-bit resolution to retain top performance from all input sources and listening modes.

Afifth DSP engine is dedicated to decoding multi-channel compressed audio sources.

High-precision 24-bit/96kHz A/D converters can be used to convert stereo analog audio input signals to digital signals, allowing the MC-12 to provide the benefits of precise digital signal processing without sacrificing signal integrity. Alternatively, stereo analog signals can bypass A/D conversion and internal processing to remain in the analog domain straight to the output connectors.

Digital audio input signals are processed through a two-stage phase lock loop for extremely low intrinsic jitter and high rejection. Lexicon’s proprietary auto azimuth technology corrects timing and level imbalances in stereo sources, ensuring exceptionally accurate playback of surround-encoded sources. A digital audio pass- through option is available for recording digital signals with a CD recorder or a similar component.

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