While the Oppo DV971H's 720P DVI outputs look wonderful, the Lexicon RT-20 produces a substantially superior image from its HDMI outputs—as you have a right to expect given the difference in price. Although both players perform equally well on my entire library of test discs, when it comes time to playing back DVDs with real program material the Lexicon displays a far subtler and more convincing color palette (which were not the result of a shift in color temperature). I first noticed this added degree of color differentiation on my Star Trek Enterprise DVDs. With the Lexicon Captain Archer and first officer T'Pol's skin tones display more precise color gradations under the ship's varying lighting conditions. Using the Oppo I saw skin tones shift too abruptly from green to yellow depending on the light sources. T'Pol's sky-high cheekbones go from ruddy to jaundiced in a warp-drive nanosecond. The Lexicon preserves her underlying skin tones while revealing how the different light sources play subtly across her face. The Lexicon's added degree of color finesse greatly increased the cinematic impact of every film I watched through it.

To check motion artifacts I used the Silicon Optix Benchmark V 1.0 DVD test disk. Even though it was created to show how well Silicon Optix own circuitry can handle motion and film to video conversion, this test disk also serves as an excellent measure of how well other scaler chips perform. On the rollercoaster and racing car motion artifacts test the deinterlacing and scaling in the RT-20 do a fine job, with only the slightest moiré on the racetrack seats as the car goes by. On the two jaggies tests the Lexicon RT-20 provides good performance, though slightly short of the very best we've seen on this disc.

The RT-20 does an excellent job of preserving the entire viewable image. On the The Avia's Test Disk pixel overscan test the RT-20 HDMI output performed perfectly, delivering the full picture (all zeroes) all around.

Due to the direct digital nature of HDMI video connections, you do loose some control over image size. Depending on your display device, this could be a problem. (I've found that this is a common nuisance with players that upconvert to 720p and 1080i via HDMI. It occurs most often with non-anamorphic, letterbox discs, and in general may be cured by switching the player's HDMI output to 480p and letting the projector perform the 480p-to-720p scaling.—TJN)

Let's Dance With three digital audio outputs (optical, coaxial, and AES/EBU) in addition to two-channel and 5.1-channel analog outputs, the RT-20 can be hooked up to an A/V processor in a variety of ways. With my Lexicon MC-12 A/V processor it's possible to set up at least three different audio inputs for different purposes. I was able to use the MC-12's DVD-1 input for a coaxial digital feed (for video DVDs), DVD-2 for 5.1 analog connections, and the CD input for the player's AES/EBU PCM digital output (for CD playback). For the best CD sound I wanted to use the RT-20's AES/EBU digital output. In direct A/B comparisons the RT-20's AES/EBU output provides slightly better depth recreation, inner detail, and low bass clarity than either the Toslink or coaxial digital connections, or its analog 5.1 outputs.

Compared with my reference CEC TL-2 CD transport, the Lexicon RT-20 as a transport with a digital connection to the MC-12 is a contender. Since both the CEC and the Lexicon have AES/EBU outputs, A/B comparisons were on a level playing field. I found the CEC has a more tube-like character, with a slightly greater depth, a more liquid, relaxed midrange, and a larger but softer low bass. The RT-20 has a more matter-of-fact midrange presentation, better transient response, superior rhythmic pace, and tighter, better-defined low bass. On pop material I preferred the RT-20's ability to maintain superior control with complex dynamic transients and intricate mixes. On chamber music and small ensemble jazz, the CEC's more euphonic presentation, relaxed midrange, and better dimensional recreation made music more intimate and involving. Which machine is tops? The answer depends on your musical tastes and sonic preferences. Personally, I like having both.

On SACD material the RT-20 sounds simply superb through an analog link to the MC-12 pre-pro. Until you've heard the Glen Gould performance on Bach's Goldberg Variations (Sony Classical SS 37779) you have not heard how realistic a two-channel SACD can sound. Orff's Carmina Burana on Telarc (Telarc SACD-60575) ranks among the preeminent multi-channel classical recordings I've heard. Through the RT-20 you are instantly transported into the best seat in the concert hall. Turning to pop recordings, the SACD version of Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" is nothing short of mesmerizing.

My only complaint with the RT-20's SACD reproduction concerns the lack of control over speaker distance settings. Even though you can adjust these distances when you initially set up the machine, on SACDs this setting has no effect. If your rear speakers are placed closer to your listening position than your front speakers, surround information may be too prominent and ambient sound will reach your ears too soon. To fully enjoy multi-channel SACDs you must set up your speakers so they are all equidistant from your listening seat.

On DVD-A discs the distance settings work just fine, but the speaker size settings have no effect. If you have a system that uses limited frequency range mini-monitors and would normally choose to re-direct bass to a subwoofer this may be an issue, but in my system it was not a problem. The RT-20 does as fine a job on DVD-A discs as SACDs. The DVD-A version of Pat Leonard's new multi-channel mix of Toy Matinee (DTS Entertainment 69286-01030-9-2) maximizes its already substantial theatrical power and emotional impact. Bela Fleck's The Bluegrass Sessions- Tales from the Acoustic Planet Volume 2 (Warner Brother 9 47332-9) also benefits from surround treatment. The mic's-eye view of the musical proceedings puts you in the center of a super jam circle.

Perhaps it isn't quite fair to compare DVD-A performance between the Lexicon MC-12 processor and RT-20 duo with the Meridian 800 processor and 598 DVD-A player. The Meridian pair has a proprietary digital connection for DVD-As so all the processor's sophisticated speaker adjustments including size, distance, phase, and bass management are applied to DVD-As, while the Lexicon MC-12 can only "pass through" the analog output of the RT-20. On DVD-As the Meridian system produces a less mechanical and more natural presentation with greater dynamic ease and superior inner detail. On CDs the Meridian combination is slightly more euphonic with an overall sonic signature reminiscent of the CEC TL-2 CD transport. Both systems have excellent low level detail, dimensional palpability and dynamic agility, and either will make even your oldest CDs sound better than you might expect. There are two black marks against the Meridian system - it will not play SACDs, and it costs nearly twice as much as the two Lexicon components.

It's impossible to fault the RT-20's audio performance on video DVDs. No matter what sort of soundtrack, from the faintest foley effects of Monsters, Inc. to walls of angry water on Blue Crush, the Lexicon can deliver whatever a disc can dish out. I prefer the sound from its coaxial digital connection rather than the RT-20's analog 5.1 outputs because of the more precise surround sound options, crossover choices, and bass management available through the MC-12. But the RT-20's built-in analog outputs have no serious flaws other than their more limited adjustments. My only concern is whether this hookup will let the rest of your system perform to the best of its abilities.

Heroes
Native HD on an optical disc is allegedly coming soon, but if you want to see how good your entire library of DVDs can look, or CDs, SACDs, and DVD-As can sound right now, the Lexicon RT-20 certainly delivers the goods. Is it that much better than the RT-10? Oh, yeah. Is it worth the extra $1500? Oh, yeah. Am I buying my review sample? Oh, yeah. Now, can I get back to my home theater please?

Highs and Lows

Highs
Superb Picture
Stellar Sound
Ergonomic Remote

Lows
No direct digital connections for DVD-A or SACD
No 1080P upconversion