At present I am running 2 channels with an Arcam integrated amp driving M80's. Over the next number of months (depending upon how fast I can accumulate the funds)I hope to expand into home theater. One of the crucial questions for me at this point is that of number of surround speakers - in good part because it will influence what kind of amplification I use. At present I am considering the following two options:

1. Buy an Arcam P85 amp with the extra channel added and getting something like an Outlaw 950 pre/pro. (although it has had very mixed reviews) I am extremely happy with the A85, and would continue to use it to run the M80 mains, while using the P85 for the center and surround channels. Going this route would limit me to 5.1 however.

2. If I decide to buy from Outlaw, I could get their 755 amp, and would then have the option of hooking up 7 speakers at some point - five through the 755 and two through the Arcam.

My questions for any that are interested in responding are:

1. With using the QS8's, what kind of a difference will the extra two speakers make? - does it justify the extra expense in speakers?
2. Is there any sonic advantage to staying with the same type of amplification. The 755 is rated at 200 watts per channel - the P85, like my A85 is rated at 85. (My system is in a room that is about 500 square feet and plays plenty loud for me at the moment.)

I am in no rush to make a decision but would like it to be as informed as possible. Thankyou in advance for sharing your advice and expertise.

Ed

Whether or not the difference is worthwhile seems contended. I would suggest you audition some good 7.1 setups if you can, turn off the rears and see if the difference is something you are willing to pay for.

Great advice Semi On.

I also believe that 200 wpc from Outlaw is rather excessive for a small 500 sq feet room, considering the efficiency of Axiom speakers. I have a denon 70wpc 1602 powering my Axioms and I can push it so loud it hurts my ears without clipping or distorting. My room is about 450 sq feet, but the ceilings are 12 feet high.

Stick with 5.1 for now. No movies are 7.1, and the QS8's are so good you won't need 4 of them. You will save a lot of money this way.

I am curious, where did you hear bad reviews of the Outlaw 950?

Patchwork,

Almost all of the negative stuff I have read about the 950 is from the 950 forum at Outlawaudio. A lot of users have had serious hiss problems, particularly those who got the first machines. It appears that Outlaw has replaced those outfits, but some say that, on their units at least, the problem is not fixed. The latest review at audioreview.com is not particularly flattering. This is not to say that there are not a whole lot of users who are extremely happy with the 950, both at audioreview and at the outlawaudio board.

By the way, thanks for the advice.

Ed

Hi Ed,

We're talking nuances with 6.1. "A modest enhancement" is what I call it, and except for the dts implementation, the sixth channel is not discrete, as are all the channels in 5.1 Dolby Digital. The sixth is a matrix-derived format--I mean, it works okay (we all lived with analog ProLogic and enjoyed it until the advent of Dolby Digital and DVDs). Some enthusiasts like the "all-channel" music surround offered on some receivers, but 7.1 isn't a movie format. One extra QS8 should provide some enhancement.

Regards,

EdD

that's very good to know. I will definitely stay away from it. I do hear their 755 amp and the 1050 receiver are excellent value and quality, however.

I will check up the reviews of the 950.

Thanks again,
cheers!

For me the improvment was not subtle. I think part of it depends on your room size though. In a small room it might not matter much, but I have a pretty big living room and my left/right surrounds are 20 feet away from each other, so having the back surround definitly helps create a more seamless surround field.

Hi,

Excellent point. Yes, the extra surrounds should create a more seamless soundfield in such a situation. Thanks for pointing it out.

Regards,