Noble,
I don't have any experience with the B&K 202 so I can't really say how they compare to the Rotel 1065 (or 55) Denon 3803 or the Outlaw 1050. B&K has an excellent reputation in regards to sound quality (both music and HT) and I'm willing to bet its a pretty good unit. Their amps are also known to be quite good with high current capability. However, at $2800 retail it seems over-priced to me. Its feature set (7.1, all the latest DSP formats,power rating, etc) is no greater than various Denon, Marantz or Integra receivers that are priced well below it. Granted, it is upgradeable and probably sounds better...but does it sound $1,000 better than the other brands I named above? I doubt it!
Regarding the Outlaw, let me clear up a lot of the marketing hype regarding this unit right now. The reviews from every publication and consumer reviews I've seen have been outstanding. My own experience with the unit (30 day free demo and then I returned it to Outlaw) was also very positive. These type of things tend to snowball and jettsion a product to legendary status...even when that status is not warranted.
The 1050 is a great $499 receiver. That's the key to remember...$499. For the money, the features, build quality and sound it deleivers can not be beat. The sound is similar to Marantz (emphasis on the mid-range with rolled off highs and soft bass) but with better amps and current. But if you look at the reviews they will have you beleive it can compete with a Denon 3803 or Marantz 8200 or Rotel 1055 or other mid-fi players. It doesn't...it can't. First of all, the reciever hasn't been updated (its feature set) since it was first introduced in 1999. DAC's are 24/96, no component video inputs, no Dolby PLII (which I consider mandatory for improvement of two channel analog sources), limited digital inputs, etc. The 6.1 is only good for Dolby Digital...doesn't work for DTS-ES or THX-EX. If Home Theater is your main thing this is not the unit for you.
It sounds very good on music but has limited potential on multi-channel due to the DAC's not being compliant with the frequency range potential of SACD or DVD-Audio.
If I were on a budget and wanted to get the best sounding receiver possible (knowing connectivity and upgradeability is very limited)I would buy this receiver. Otherwise, if not the case I would look elsewhere to Denon, Rotel, Integra... even the latest JVC receivers that offer many more features for not that much additional money.
Tru
