Greg
MC1
No upgrades that I know of, no doubt someone will update me. Lexicon have dropped this one like a dead duck. Previous processors were well supported and it looks good for MC12 owners as well. A cut down version of the MC12 is coming out soon, so I think MC1 days are numbered. If you want PL2 then choices are limited.
MC1 fairly easy to use, second hand price / ex demo about £3k
568
This has been well supported and now is in the much more powerful 568.2. Meridian has a proven tracked record supporting the processors but there gets a finite life when further updates are not possible, hence the demise of the 565. Not all upgrades are free, they just publicise the free ones a little more. Ask about DTS 24/96 and see if it is free.
I found the interface difficult to get on with but I suspect that it is my unfamiliarity with the product rather than a fault on its part. Regular users dont have an issue here. Old 568s are upgradeable to 568.2 to the best of my knowledge. Much better than MC1 but needs the 562.2 to really function well. Many features (much of the money) are geared to the Meridian digital system so many are paying for things they dont use. Good processor.
AV32
This processor has a supreme upgrade record (well into double figures). I first saw this in 1999 and it is still at the top of the pile now. This doesnt look like changing much either. Many formats were just simple software upgrades and made keeping it at cutting edge really simple and cheap. Upgarding to PL2 took me about half hour all in, most of that was drinking coffee!. There have also been worthwhile hardware upgrades as well but everything is optional. If you dont want it you dont pay for it. Normal solution? Buy a new processor.
Second hand AV32 go for £1600 upwards or you can save money on the less upgradeable AV30. The long term plans for the AV192 (upgradeable form the AV32R) are awesome, well beyond any current processor, but it may be further than you want to take things. It is all modular a la Theta and this design goes back to 1999! It is still the pick of the crop for most around here. Good processor. You can keep it as simple as possible or take it as far as you want. The choice is yours.
Theta are the only other major player that has this sort of proven AV track record. Lots of money but serious quality kit.
I think your comment that Tag grabs as much money as it can are way wide of the mark and not accurate. Many of us bought Tags at half the MC1 price, preferring them (and MC12 if current things are to go by). The £50 for HDCD was well received by people. It was asked for on the Tag forum and was delivered by Tag. They werent overtly keen and therefore started options in the software decoding. Some are less than £50 other more. If you dont want them dont buy them! Do you fancy paying for things you dont want on other processors? A full blown latest spec Tag AV32 (192bp, 5.1 inputs etc) is about £3500, that includes everything inc DAB Radio (the best there is), compare with £5500 for MC1!
Fancy upgrading a MC1? Lexicon ahead of the game? If you are looking at current stuff, no way hosay. Go back 5 years and Lexicon showed everyone how it was done, not anymore. They are well off the mark.
There have been one or two instances of other companies being forced into upgrades, generally kicking and screaming, like Denon and Sony but they are a far cry from Tag, Meridian and Theta operations. If you want future proof then you will have to bite the bullet I am afraid. The Tag is you cheapest bet and probably the most upgradeable as well if you are on a tight budget. I would be proud to own any of Tag, Meridian and Theta. I know my money was safe. [I think Cyrus may have updated their processor with a board swap but I havent confirmed this]. Re upgradeability of the rest, well they dont!
The new Arcam is an unknown quantity at the moment but John is a good guy and I suspect Arcam will support this well but I think it needs some more work on the software at the moment IMHO. They are doing this however. Their upgrades on their CD players are excellent but AV is much more than swapping out boards. It is software engineering that rules here. Tag are stable at the moment but Lexicon and Arcam are having to invest serious money here. I suspect when Tag release the AV192R they will have to throw serious software engineers at the product.
The other solution is to keep it simple to 5.1 with just bog standard DD, DTS and PL2. No frills. The thing is not all DD, DTS and PL2 solutions are created equal. Many (most?) of the big names make a mess of some basic stuff particularly bass management so buyer beware. This is where upgradabilty really play dividends. Cyrus at £1k might make an interesting solution worth investigating and I always had a sneaking respect for Myrad (500?) at £1500? but dont know what it can currently do (i.e. PL2 etc) been a while since I played with one.