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Lexicon CP-2 problem

I

Invertex

New Member
I just got a Lexicon CP-2 today for $10 to play around with.

I am trying to get it to work properly, but am having some issues. Here is how I am trying to set it up. My receiver is a HarmonKardon 330c.

Receiver tape out -> Lexicon input
Lexicon main channel output -> Receiver tape monitor input

The issue is that I am not getting any sound output from the lexicon. If I switch the out on the lexicon to the center channel I get the normal sound (though only in one speaker, normal I assume).

If I play around with the main channel outputs I can hear a crackle sounds in the speakers to the attempted beat of the music that is playing. Nothing happens at all if I switch to the rear outputs.
I have the input level adjusted to within the green range as well and am getting a signal from the receiver.

Is the Lexicon fried? Or am I doing something stupidly wrong?

Thanks in advance.
 
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It is actually a surround sound processor, and you are going to need seperate amplifiers for the rear speakers and center speakers.

Its mainly an adaptor for an existing 2 channel stereo set-up to get surround sound without actually having an all-in-one surround receiver.

I own a Kenwood surround adaptor, and I use it with my existing 2 channel stereo, along with a seperate 2 channel amplifier for my rear speakers. Works great!
 
Wouldn't there be sound coming out of the main channel outputs though? The only one that 'seems' to work is the center (when the phantom center is off).
 
The CP-2 should be connected to the tape loop like you described in your first post, but in order to hear anything, you need to turn on the tape monitor on your Harmon-Kardon receiver. Now, in order to get surround sound, you need a seperate amplifier with speakers for the rear connections, a seperate powered sub woofer for the sub channel, and a seperate mono powered amplifier with speaker for the center channel.
 
With the tape monitor button on I get nothing-only some crackles at times that you can tell is from the audio playing.
 
Also, if the CP-2 is working correctly, Play a DVD with known surround signals encoded in it with the DVD's audio left & tight outputs connected to your AUX on your Harmon-Kardon. You will need the other seperate amplifiers with speakers to actually hear the encoded surround trak on the DVD. It does work as my Kenwood is connected this way.

Even some of my music CD's have an encoded surround track that I had never knew existed until I played a CD one day, and heard something entirely different coming from my rear speakers. Amazing is all I can say!

Its a crapshoot that the unit is actually working properly, but it may also be (nothing personal intended) operator error with the CP-2's controls.
 
Studying the CP-2's pictures a little more reveals that it also has seperate volume controls. Is it also turned up? And is it also un-muted? Lots to play around with on this one.
 
According to the owners manual, you are going to need the remote control to control the units volume and muting options. Do you have the remote control?
 
I wish that it is operator error :)

Yes have the remote. The unit is not muted. The controls are centered on the front/rear and on the left/right.

I tried the DVD player approach just now and the only channel that outputs anything with Star Wars is the center channel. The main and rears output nothing.
I have fiddled with the rear volume controls as well. With the center one working even with that volume all the way down, that channel definitely works.

I asked the person who I bought it from if it worked and they said it did ... so I am not sure what is going on.
 
The only other thing that I can think of is to push and hold the volume up button on the remote control to see if the volume gradually rises.

Maybe take it back and ask them to hook it up the way they had it to see if it is actually working and connected properly. :dunno:
 
Yep the volume works in the center channel.

I fiddled with it some more and some sound does come out for the main channel, but only if you turn the volumes up to the max. And even then it is very faint and random cracks come out.

I am under the conclusion that it is a $10 hunk of junk now.
 
With your current connection (the main L/R out of the Lexicon going back to a Tape Monitor input), disconnect one of the inputs to the Lexicoan and see if the main channel now has output.

This piece is a Surround decoder. If the input to the decoder is mono (or very close to mono), the output is steered to the Center channel output. This would be normal behavior. For Pro-Logic decoders, the decoder "looks at" the Left and right inputs and determines how to steer the signal into Left, Center, Right, or Surround (or Left Surround, Right Surround for PLII).

By disconnecting either the Left or Right input from the Lexicon, you will be forcing it to steer Left or right.

Pro-Logic Steering/Encoding
Left + Right (-3dB) = Center
Left = Left
Right = Right
Left - Right (-3dB) = Surround.
 
Thing is, it appears these lexicons really need the original remotes to access even mundane functions like stereo. I have a cp2 and a cp3 and a Harmony Remote but no sound from either one and I think it comes down to an enter button or a "parameter" button. The harmony 890 works with the cp3 but even so I can't get past setup input^. Like I need a down or a sideways toggle or something. Strange. Mind-boggling why they would want a brick without a remote. Very intentionally proprietary which maddens me how many of these ended up on the dump heap needlessly in lieu of a stereo button. BS
 
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