Lexicon PCM81

[DIGITAL SCREAMS]

Today I took ownership of a new multiFX unit.

Cycled through the presets....and after about 45 mins I suddenly got a heart attack inducing digital hash sound from my left speaker. Turned the unit off then back on....and it was ok for 15 mins. Then it happened again....and it scared the shit out of me. I have sensitive hearing and use a pair of Mackie HR824's about 4 feet away (not an ideal set up....but then again...this is just a hobby for me)

The truth is.....im really pissed off right now....and feeling pretty low. Im sick and tired of spending serious money on things only to then have all the fun destroyed by some fault/glitch. I phoned up Lexicon USA and reported my observations.......they recommended I send it back to my dealer and get a replacement.

Well, now that I've had this experience....im not sure I really want to get a replacement. This kind of thing puts me in a bad mood. This experience has revealed several 'facts': 1) since Lexicon outsourced production to China....quality has gone down 2) deminishing returns ($$$) begin to hit when you upgrade from the MP1X to the PCM range. Honestly, don't believe the hype......you get most of your bang for buck in the lower mid range units - above that, you start paying serious money for ever smaller gains 3) the PCM range sounds abit stale. Lexicon's marketing machine lead me to believe that there were some 'amazing' add on PCMCIA cards which expanded the system with more capability (17 algorithms, 300 presets to 40 algorithms and 800 presets). Being a self confessed preset user/tweaker (when it comes to effects) I was sold on this. Ah....but here came the final suprise - LEXICON don't make these cards anymore....and they are really FUCKING HARD to get hold of and they cost $$$.

Im going to send it back on Friday....and possibly ask for a full refund. Either that or I might opt for a 'lesser' effects unit such as the MPX1 and save some bucks for something else.

Can anyone here recommend a decent multiFX unit which won't leave me foaming at the mouth when i check my bank balance?

Thanks

DS