Graphs for distortion and frequency response tests are shown below. We now include THD measurements using Dolby Digital input signals, which are decoded by the receiver.

Using DD input signals through a Toslink optical digital input (the next five graphs), and the output signal measured through a pre-out, a 1 kHz signal, recorded at - 10 dB, resulted in only 0.04% THD. The noise floor rise above 20 kHz is due to the DAC's Delta-Sigma processing. Note that even at 90 kHz, the level is 80 dB below the audio signal.

Two signals, 1 kHz and 1.5 kHz, produced less than 0.02% IMD.

DD signals, 5 kHz and 6 kHz, also resulted in very low IMD.

As the DD signal went up in frequency, so did the THD, as is the case here with 10 kHz.

Dual high frequency signals of 10 kHz and 11 kHz yielded still very low IMD.

Now to the speaker outputs, using analog input signals. All the remaining graphs are from using analog input signals.

A 1 kHz input gave less than 0.01% THD+N.

Less than 0.001% IMD resulted when using 1 kHz and 1.5 kHz input signals.

At 5 kHz and 6 kHz input signals, IMD was still very low.

At 10 kHz, THD+N was still very low, at less than 0.05%.

IMD remained near our low measuring limits, using 10 kHz and 11 kHz input signals.

At the pre-out, the measured frequency response was 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB. The preamplifier rolls the signal off above 45 kHz.

The maximum pre-out voltage before clipping was 3.35 volts RMS, which more than meets our Benchmark specification of 2 volts RMS. The graph below shows the distortion level just below clipping.

The frequency response at the speaker output measured the same as with the pre-out, which is 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB.

Conclusions

The Lexicon RV-8 is a fine receiver, undoubtedly one of the best on the planet. It decodes all the modern codecs, and has capabilities to satisfy anyone. It is expensive, and is lacking a few features that lesser priced receivers have, but they may arrive in an update. After everything is said and done, a Lexicon is tough to beat.

- John E. Johnson, Jr. -

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