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Is Outlaw Audio going to make a new low cost surround sound processor?

I have been looking at Outlaw Audio low cost surround sound processors for a couple of years now, and just when I get to the point where I think I can talk my wife into letting me buy one, they don't make them anymore. Cheapest I can find a new surround sound receiver is over a thousand dollars. Surround sound processors start at about $2500 or more. Now I look for a used Outlaw model 975 used and there are none available. If this keeps up the 975 will be selling for more used than they cost new. You look for news and there is nothing at all from Outlaw or anyone else. I can not find any processor that is worth the money, unless I want to spend over $4000. I am very frustrated with Outlaw right now for stopping production of the 975, and not saying anything about new products. Basically I am venting, so feel free to ignore. Probably have to get my Aragon Stage One (does not process digital inputs anymore) refurbished.
ronlunday
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

There was a 975 that just bid up and sold for $268 on ebay.  Last fall, there was a 975 on usaudiomart for $200 and the guy finally had to lower his price to $150 to sell it.  The pricing market is unpredictable.

gp4jesus
36 posts
 

Important differences/improvements I forgot to mention…

the 976 is 4K ready - it’s far more than a 975 w/ balanced outputs.
Comes w/two sub outs both XLR & SE though they really just save the user from having to buy/use a splitter

More HDMI inputs, TWO HDMI outputs, and for a few $s more Bluetooth connectivity. 
 

Finally the most important diff - better sound quality!

 

tony 

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

NOTE: on the 976.  I have worked on the 976 processor doing a massive modification and recap.  The RCA subwoofer outputs are no different than a Y-cable splitter because they are both driven off the same op amp.  However, the XLR subwoofer outputs are fully balanced and have a separate op amp analog stage for each.  There is actually a whole bottom board with balanced op amps for each XLR output.

gp4jesus
36 posts
 

@auxinput:

I’d love to learn the details about your 976 “…massive modification and recap.” I “graduated” from from a Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro dying a slow death, one channel at a time to the 975. Later, from the 975 to the 976. Each change was an upgrade from the previous, the most significant from the Rotel to the 975

I’d appreciate simple ideas of how to add genuine balanced INPUTs to consumer gear even if it requires a switch between the SE & XLR jacks

1000 thanks in advance.

I look forward to hearing from you. Tony

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