Lexicon CP-3

AndyGwis · January 2007

For kicks, I decided to pick up a minty Lexicon CP-3 with original manuals, both remotes, etc. I've heard really good things about Lexicon as processors, and even though this is from 1993 with severely dated processing abilities (Pro Logic & early THX standards), this thing is awesome!

I haven't even hooked it up yet, but I can already think of about twenty reasons why I'm happy to dropped a bit of cash on it, including but not limited to:

- I can now claim I own a Lexicon pre/pro. Will be updating my sig shortly.
- It retailed for $3300, so something about it must be cool
- It is totally customizeable, including naming inputs, setting every kind of level possible, etc. Also, all processing fuctions can be turned completely off with the touch of either of the TWO remotes.
- I looks and feels like a $3300 retail piece of equipment. This one is particularly minty, and I feel will bring some class to my budget 2-channel setup.
- While my current and a recently bought preamp sound great and have many of the features I want (like Phono input), they are not remote capable. This thing is, and I can hook up the pre as an input for my phono listening. Everything will (hopefully) sound the same and be volume remote controllable now.
- It says LUCASFILM THX on the front, so someone will surely pay 2X more than it's worth just for that logo

- The manual is very well written

If anyone else has tried one of these babies out, let me know. I'm thinking it will be around until I decide to drop $400-$500 on a newer preamp that will have all the functionality I need. But, this seems like a very fun, and cheap way to get the results I'm looking for.

Pics whenever I have time.

RuSsMaN · January 2007

I've got two Lexicon CP-1's (no remote, but still avail from Lexicon for $50) that I can't give away.

Cheers,
Russ

AndyGwis · January 2007

Yeah, I knew it wasn't worth much, and I didn't pay much. . . so no harm done. I guess what I should've put was: this is a well-built, well-thought out worth-less piece of audio history

I guess I won't be flipping it for $500 anytime soon. . .

Also, my intent was to buy it and out of curiousity, plug it into the budget 2-channel rig, if nothing else but to remote control the whole thing.

AndyGwis · January 2007

Settle down, guys. . . by popular demand, here's my review of the Lexicon CP-3 as a preamp:

When run as a standalone preamp with no processing, FX, etc., the sound is listenable, but not what I would consider my cup of tea. Good low-end, but not enough slam, or high end for me.

But, when I hooked it up from CDP to B&K Preamp to Lexicon, to Amp, it sounded great. So, basically, I spent a very little amount of money to take up space on my rack and use more power to add remote functionality and a cool looking component to my collection.

Everyone go get one now. . .

tonyb · January 2007

Lexicon is one of those"you love them or hate them' kind of brands.
To me,Proceed kicks their butt up and down the alley.But your comments say alot for the B&K.Have fun.

sucks2beme · February 2007

You've been hitting the hardware pretty hard as of late. :eek:
How did you last adventure with the bad NAD work out?
I just added a Parasound psp-1000 pre to my system.
It's much better than the old junker Rotel I had on it before.
Just a note, the Parasound Zpre2 can be had under $300.
I almost went that route, until this one came up.

AndyGwis · February 2007

Nice. Yeah, I'm in a constant state of trigger happy on ebay, here, CL, Audiogon. . .

Probably should come up with a new gameplan instead of just buying stuff on the cheap that I can play with and then resell once it starts to wear out it's welcome.

The NAD stuff was supposed to be the end buy for at least a while. . . but we know that didn't turn out as planned, so I started looking again. I think I'll have a decent setup (on the very cheap) here shortly.

Maybe I should just pony up some real dollars and get something really nice, then forget about this swap meet tactic, but then I'd have to start listening to the music instead of hording and selling gear, no fun in that

sucks2beme · February 2007

I'm sick of it. The Parasound looks to solve the pre problem for now.
I need to buy a "keeper" set of speakers. Martin Logans are looking like
they fill the bill. I've been wittling down the hardware to a core bunch of
good stuff. The rest will have to go!
Good luck with your collection. Better hope you don't get married any time soon!

AndyGwis · February 2007

Yeah, go get those lil MLs at Best Buy. The one off Central and Park Lane, near northpark, had some in their Magnolia showroom.

I keep thinking I can play around with some used mid-fi, see what kind of sound I like best, then sell it all for even money or a marginal profit and work on a real system.

As long as I'm in a cramped apartment, no need spending good money on higher-end stuff. Best for me to experiment for a while, so I'll keep buying dirt cheap audio for a while.

snow · February 2007

i cant speak for the CP-3, but i have a lexicon MC-1 that i really like. the only thing i dont like about it is the lack of a set of 5.1 or 7.1 analog inputs but i am talking to a fellow on the lexicon forum about getting that changed. it was a step up from my last preamp. the only thing about pre amps and dvd players etc now is that things change so quickly now with new chips and new formats and connections that it hurts to spend thousands on something that may well be obselete in a year or two. it seems speakers and amps are the only items that are relatively safe from sudden change. i hope you enjoy yours. REGARDS SNOW

niles300z · January 2017

Thing is, used these rarely come with remotes.
I have a Harmony here that I can't get to run a cp2 or cp3. So, I'm gonna step out on a limb and say without the original remote lexicon preamps are useless. Not intuitive at all and or too proprietary.

Rich502 · January 2017

niles300z wrote: »

Thing is, used these rarely come with remotes.
I have a Harmony here that I can't get to run a cp2 or cp3. So, I'm gonna step out on a limb and say without the original remote lexicon preamps are useless. Not intuitive at all and or too proprietary.

The previous comment was over 10 years ago.

kharp1 · January 2017

Ehh, good information never goes out of style

niles300z · January 2017

Thanks. I was disciplined in another forum for being late to the party, but for us collectors, we look for quality items sometimes without a website or a phone number remaining to call. Therefore we depend on forums for crucial information possibly discussed when the product was " current" and then 10-30 years later it may have been forgotten about or becomes rare. Therefore any information becomes rare. I am not finding the answers to my questions so I'm wondering, is it because a moderator deemed the info too late, not pertinent...so I am taking the stance like you kharp that any info is good info. Unless financial concerns or virtual space is limited and there is a general trend to minimize data and posts, that I can better understand.

soundfreak1 · January 2017

I have had and used several of the M series and CP''s but as a 2 ch preamp. They are very good for this purpose, cheep to buy and good sound. Good back ups. But I never paid more than 50/100.00 for them. Once you get to the 300/400 range (vintage) you can get better. But for an inexpensive pre in their price range (and in some cases more) they are hard to beat. Must have original remote though! They have surprised me (and several of my friends as well) with the quality of the sound and convenience they offer.great for starter systems garage ect. Would not consider them critical listening grade. Great bang for the buck! Very good build quality.

niles300z · January 2017

Finally got a chance to hear the CP-3.
Apparently it will work without the original remote. I hereby stand corrected. This is a complex unit even for experienced users.
If all else fails, read the manual,but set aside a few hours. The sound is pretty good. Controlled, not overly anything, but stable and well made.
Used as a two channel preamp only I give it a 3.8 out of 5. I can't comment on surround use but other than being outdated I would think it would be solid in that respect too and very configurable

Lexicon CP-3

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