Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Outlaw products

Anyone have any experience with Outlaw Amps. I was considering getting a pair of their new mono amps. The prices are decent and I definitely want to try out a direct feed from my Marantz SE CD player (has a pre built in which includes volume on the unit) right to 2 mono amps and into my M22Ti. Prices are good for their products and they have lots of punch. I would like to know how clean of a power source does Outlaw products carry due to its modest prices.

Model M200 Mono amp @ $300USD each

Power Output: 200 watts @ 8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <0.05% THD; 300 watts @ 4 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <0.05%
THD Signal to Noise: 100 dB (unweighted)
Input Impedance: 41k
Gain: +27dB (1.7V sensitivity) for full output
Input Connectors: RCA Jack
Output Connectors: Five-Way Binding Posts
Power Consumption:600 watts maximum/<3 watts standby
Trigger Input: 6-35 V DC 4mA
Weight: 18 pounds
Dimensions (H/W/D):1.75" x 17" x 11.5"

I haven't played with them myself because, to be honest, I find them a bit on the ugly side. Perhaps less ugly as outdated. That color green is so 80's. I realize this is a silly thing to base a purchase of this magnitude on, but it's also furniture in my current setup.

That said, I've heard terrific things about their products in general. I've seen a couple people recommend them here and on other sites as well, leaving me to believe they're good choices for not super expensive products.

Like anything in this field, my suggestion is to audition them.

Interestingly enough, I just noticed this review:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/shownews.cgi?268

Semi_On

I definitely wished I could audition them but that definitely is hard since they really don't do middlemen that carry their stuff. Yeah the neon green is definitely old skule. For the same price I can easily get an Anthem or a used 5 year old Krell in good condition though. But I also like its small format.

Hey, mix that green with some brushed steel and you get a cool ufo type look.
I don't mind that.
Very nostalgic.

Semi,

I think the green is more an effect of bad photography. Everything I've read seems to describe Outlaw products as grey, and they certainly don't look bad in the magazine ads I've seen...not high-end build quality by any stretch, but better-looking than Technics, JVC, etc.

Outlaw is very well regarded in terms of quality and value. Their customer service is essentially the same as Axiom's, with a money-back guarantee and a wide open online forum for feedback (positive and negative).

There are two caveats, though. First is the build quality of their products, which is one of the major "cost-cutting" areas. The aluminum boxes are supposedly not the most solid things on the Earth.

Secondly, if you are a Canadian you should know that only a few of their products are made in the U.S. (I believe the ICBM and multichannel amps). Products they sell that are actually put together elsewhere, including the M200, don't fall under NAFTA and will be slapped with major duties coming into Canada.

That's a good point fhw and one that is often overlooked.
If anyone is interested in finding out how Canadian duties are charged, head over to this website for a list of categories and rates (and info):
A&A customs brokers canada
Chek out the quick links on the right hand side for duty and tax calculator.

Well all, I have the 950 as my pre/pro and love it. I have the M80, VP150, QS8, and custom 15" sub. I use an adcom gfa7500 amp (great deal from a dealer friend) and love the sound.

The green, well, its not a lime like lots of the pics show, more like an army green (maybe a bit lighter).

Got some pics at http://zakman19.tripod.com/ht/ht.htm

l8

Take a look at the IRD MB100 monoblocks. I bought five for my Axiom HT setup. $1,250. They are very well built and sound incredible for the money.

They are the same amp that Norh sells as the LeAmp. I bought directly from IRD. Curt at Ird will answer any of your questions.

www.irdaudio.com
www.norh.com

fhw,

I'm talking about the green in the buttons and such.

Saturn,

You can still audition them, you may just have to send them back at your expense, much like Axioms. They have a money back period you can use for this.

Semi_on:

Well with amps I think at that price range I will not even tell the difference. I just needed clean power. I usually hate trying out many and then just get lost in the selection. I try using experience of people based on the products and see which direction people pick.

Steven:

The Norh or IRD really got also great reviews. It is also better matched to the Rotel receiver I have at 5 x 100. I was thinking of running 2 monoblocks (relatively cheap @ $500USD for 2) out of my 2 front pre-outs to see if I get better sound performance on my front speakers. The Anthem 2 channel amp is about the same price. The outlaw monoblock 200W is $80USD more for 2 and I heard sound might be great but the chassis is a little soft nad had some quality control problems.



I think my fronts really pushes my system 6 ohm speakers. To get a nice good sounding level I already have to crank my volume at 58 and then when I do HT I'm up to like 65+. What level do you guys have your systems cranked up to regular listening level? And I don't mean loud just everyday listening and regular HT listening.

The IRD MB-100's are built like tanks. They are each pretty heavy. They drive my system M60, VP150, QS8 to a very loaud level. I have a B&K Ref 30 running them and generally listen 25 - 35% volume. During movies that even gets too loud.

But the sound quality is really excellent.

I have the Outlaw 770, and it's a monster amp. The thing weighs 90lbs, is built like a tank (no aluminum here), and the sound quality is very good. It's probably more power than I need, strictly speaking, but I like the peace of mind that comes from knowing I have plenty of headroom. Plus the amp is a long-term investment for me, I plan to keep it a very long time.

I really think Outlaw offers more bang for the buck than any other brand of amp out there, the only possible exception might be to buy used if you find a really good deal. FYI the Outlaw amps are essentially OEM's of ATI's amps, which sell for considerably more I believe.

Steven, are those IRD monoblocks designed to be stacked?

I bought a MDF two tier 14" wide by 20" high by 14" deep cherry vineer (to match axiom speakers) stand at Target. I have two MB100's side by side on the lower shelf & two side by side on the top shelf with the 5th MB100 sitting (center)on top of the top two.

The MB100 have very beautiful heavy duty feet - So yes they can be stacked. There are good pics of the unit at the Norh website. LeAmp & IRD MB100 are the same. www.norh.com

the ird monos have a great track record, i might hesitate on the new outlaws for a few months just to see if any problems or sound quality-there just arent alot out there yet-the first batch of anything can be dangerous.
dont know if you know but the outlaws are a class a/b that switches to class g-not sure how much if at all that matters .
check the ird forum at audiocircle.com

I would be hesitant to buy anything from Outlaw Audio.
I emailed them two times concerning purchasing their receiver and never did get a reply. Doesn't sound like very good customer service to me.

I have heard some quality control issues with the M200. The casing was lop-sided and the amp would rock since all 4 posts were not even. Theres an easy fix for this which is open the cover..apply pressure on all 4 corners until all corners are flat on the table and screw the cover back in. Why should I fix something that is brand new. The IRD/Norh blocks so far has been positive.


Saturn

I replaced my Marantz MA-700's with the Outlaw M-Blocks and love the results with my Axioms. They are a great fit...very neutral sounding, which (IMHO) enhances the clear detailed sound of the Axioms. The VP150 benefited greatly from the amp. Clean, robust sound from the center...where before I describe them as a little bright and at times, even harsh.

Ron

PS: I thought they are well built, solid amp. I also like the source trigger, when they receive a signal.

I own three Outlaw M200's. They are not green, they are black iirc. They sound pretty good, certainly better then my old crappy pioneer receiver. I use them to run my front three speakers. I haven't had any problem with the build quality on mine. They are also very heavy.

How do you think the MB-100 will match up with the M60s, Vp150 and Qs4 and a Rotel RSP-1066 preamp/processor?