Getting my wonderful Axioms has made me wonder if the weak link in my system isn't my receiver, an Onkyo TX-SR 800. After reading these forums for a few weeks, I have an urge to move up from mid-fi to real hi-fi. I have seen some real good reviews for the Outlaw Audio separates, and though they're amything but cheap at $2498 for the stack I desire, they are less than many of the high end components from Rotel, Carver, etc.

Any of you guys have any experience with the Outlaw gear? I am interested in the Model 950 pre-amp and the Model 770 power amp. Is there anything else in this price range that I should consider? Anything that might turn up on Ebay I should watch for?

You guys are very knowledgable and generous with your advice. Thanks in advance for your input!

Mark

I haven't personally but those that have rave about the gear. It's supposed to be a great set of seperates for the price. I just wish they'd leave the 80's for their aesthetic design. Jam Short Green doesn't appeal to me.

Actually, since most of my music is from the '70's, they should fit right in!

Mark

Mark, I had the monoblock 200's and they were fantastic. I chose a Rotel amp over them, but the build quality and sound were similar. I don't think you can go wrong with the Outlaws...

I am confident that you cannot really go wrong with the Outlaw power amps. But I don't know if the 950 pre/pro is truly up-to-date with respect to the ADC/DAC/DSP chips and proficiency for the newer digital formats... If I were to buy an Outlaw pre/pro, I would wait till they revise the 950, which is already far from a "brand-new" product in the digital-domain time-scale.

I'd look on audiogon.com for a Rotel RSP-1066 processor and RMB-1075 amp. They are usually easy to find, and buying them slightly used will save you considerable money.

You should be able to easily get both pieces for under $2000.

The photos may make them look greenish but my 1050 is matte charcole grey just slightly lighter and less shiny than my other black gear. I'm an architect and pretty picky but I have no ploblem with the looks.

No, it's the 80's green button that drives me nuts.

Mark, your Onkyo 800 is "real hi-fi" and in no way a weak link. The fact that you used the term "mid-fi" indicates that you've been reading high-end nonsense that attempts to categorize sound quality according to price.

Yes, I have to agree with JohnK. It is entirely possible that your $2500 "upgrade," regardless of the brand, may result in zero tangible sonic improvements. Your Onkyo is no slouch to start with.

The Outlaw 950 processor and the 770 amp have both been extensively reviewed. The reviews have been uniformly positive. My friend has an Outlaw 1050 receiver and it is very nice - definitely powerful, pretty musical as well.

I think the Outlaw 200 wpc x 7 amp and processor is a great deal. However, your big Onkyo front end is pretty sophisticated, so you may want to consider using the Onkyo as a processor (pre-outs) into an Outlaw 770 amp. Sometime down the line, you may have had a chance to check out the 950 in someone else's system and decide to sell your Onkyo and pick up a 950. Make sure you get the most recent iteration of the 950 since the early models had some teething problems, including noise.

The 800 series Onkyo is a very nice unit, but I'll bet you'll hear a big difference if you go with a really powerful multichannel outboard amp like the 770.

I use an Onkyo TX DS797 THX as a front end, a big Onkyo M-504 2 channel amp for front channels, and an Anthem PVA-5, 5 channel amp to drive the rest of the speakers. I like this set up very much - much, much better than using the inboard amp in the 797.

Good luck.

Somebody likes my receiver...upgradeitis...fading...sanity returning.

One thought I had was to get a real nice stereo power amp or 2 monoblocks to power my M60's, and let the Onkyo do the rest of the work.

Mark

Hi mhorgel

I picked up a refurbished Onkyo M282 2x100 (8ohms) 2 channel amp from uBid for about $130, used it for the front speakers of my office HT system and a Sony STRDB1070 6 amplified channel receiver for the rest. I ended up getting 2 more Onkyo 2 channel amps and the difference is HUGE. You can get refurbished M282s from Onkyo for about $200 each. Just checked uBid, and they have 1 Onkyo M282 manufacturer refurbished amp going for $110, auction closes in about 3 hours.

If you have the time and room, you might want to go used for much higher end 2 channel amps like the Onkyo M-504, or Yamaha M80, pick up a bunch and build an awesome HT system.

Yeah, if you decide to sell your Onkyo, let Peter know... :-) I think he needs a new one.

I just looked and there are at least 4 Onkyo 504's for sale on Ebay, along with many other fine used power amps from Carver, Rotel, and Adcom at reasonable prices (<$500). One question...there were a LOT of Adcom amps for sale...what gives with that? Also a lot of Marantz monoblocks.

Mark

Another very satisfied Outlaw customer. I'm using 3 of the m200 monoblocks for my M22s & VP150. Will probably buy their next generation of the 950. Email me if you have any questions.

Regards,
Richard

A friend of mine recently got into the 950 pre/pro. It sounds great, nice features, etc. His wife isn’t to keen on the green button either. I guess the WAF is not good with that button. I personally like it. For the price and what you get, you really can’t go wrong.

I don’t know if you will hear a big difference from your current processor. But if you are looking for separates the outlaw seems to be a good starting point. You might just consider starting out with separate amps before a pre/pro. You may notice a bigger difference there. If you are looking for more features then go for the 950 as well.

I have no experience with their amps, only what I hear in reviews.

I have the Outlaw ICBM, and it does make a difference, if you go with a 950 you wont really need one.

I use Carver PM- series of amps for all of my 7.1 amplification. I use a Pioneer mid range as a pre/pro. The amps in this are not good, but it does what I need for a pre/pro. I will be looking for a 950 in the future. Although I am working on getting all my speakers switched over to Axiom. Except for a nice SVS B4+ for the sub.

I have owned the 950 forabout 14 months now...I just missed out as having a first generation, but when production was restarted, I got mine within a week or so. I had efficient speakers and noticed the so called "hiss", and the Outlaws gave me a new "hiss free" model in the end of December. The first unit was fantastic, with about the same level of hiss as my 1883 Sony receiver had, and just slightly more than my NAD 7175PE receiver has. That is to say, it was quiet unless I really cranked it, then it became noticable when nothing was playing and the volume was waaaaay up.

Now it is dead quiet. Quiet as it turn it up all the way and put an ear within about 2 inches of the dang speaker! Customer service is superb. The warranty is 5 years. Those who think it is outdated have to have the latest and greatest...I will use this as my main audio controller for many, many years to come. It does everything I want and more, and it was better to my ears than the Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo, Sony, and Yamaha. Only the H/K sounded as good. I never believed in a "break-in" period, or a big difference in solid state sound. Now I believe in both. The Outlaw brought out details I never heard before. Now that I have paired it with the Epic 80 system and an SVS sub (along with an 85 X 5 Parasound amp), detail is astounding!

The bottom line is...MOST of the people who complain about the Outlaw equipment has never owned it! I would also bet that 99% of Outlaw owners are satisfied. Compare that to the horrors that many big brand owners have...especially customer service from these companies.