Outlaw 950 Pre-Pro

I've had an Outlaw 950 now for about three months. Comparing it on 2-channel with my McIntosh C-42 preamp, it seems to be very good (although it won't take a phono input). Also, I've tried A-B'ing CD's played on my California Audio Labs Delta through a MSB LinkDac, vs. the internal Outlaw processors. The MSB provides somewhat more defined bass and slightly better imaging, but not a lot.

The FM tuner is the pits compared to separate high-end tuners. (I use an Accuphase T-106, McIntosh MR-71, or Citation 14 primarily.) I live in Alexandria, VA, and the Outlaw will not reliably get WBJC in Baltimore, 50 miles away, with a folded dipole antenna--unlike all my others and even my Adcom GTP-550II tuner/preamp.

Also, I've recently moved my two Hurricane amps to a different system, along with several Scott Lab 280 tube monoblocks which I was using for the other channels in home theater. Replaced them all with a new Adcom GFA7605 5 X 125 watt amp. Sounds fabulous with the 950, particularly playing multichannel SACD's.

Ran accross these reviews and thought I might add a long term review of my own. I've had the 950/755 combo in my system for about two years (a long time for me) and have been very happy with the performance and reliability of this combo. The rest of my system consist of a Sony DVDP NS999ES (primary source), SVS 20-39pci sub, Energy Veritas 2.3i mains, 2.0Ci center and Sonance TR-4000 in-ceiling for the rear (5.1 set-up only). Only recently did I get the Veritas', I was running Maggie 1.6's with a B&W HTM-2 center and I had a Rega Planet-2000 CDP in my system for awhile as well. Previously I used a Fosgate model-4, Parasound-1500, Denon 3300, and some other not so memorable processors during the early DPL days. Never had any really high end stuff except during the days when I used to do only two channel audio. Anyhow, in the price range of the Outlaw equipment I really don't see how you can beat it. It has true analog bypass inputs and a 80Hz analog filter that can be placed on or off for SACD and DVDA. I would describe it's analog performance as somewhat reserved and warm sounding, but lacking in absoulute detail. A very good match for the really detailed and ethced sounding speakers, probably the opposite of a Bryston. A warm sounding speaker might not fair too well and could become a bit muddy sounding IMO. The soundstage width and depth are excellent, mid-range and hi frequency performance are very good as well, bass is strong and extended, but not as detailed as I'd like it to be. When I go from the digital input to bypass mode while playing a CD, the difference in enormous. In analog bypass the soundstage just opens up and the music is presented well outside the boundries of the speakers. With the 1.6's I often had to double check the settings as I thought I had left the rear speakers on. Early models suffered from hiss, mine is dead quiet, except for a minor 60Hz buzz that I need to solve being caused by a ground loop from my cable. Oh yeah, dynamics are as good as I've heard, good puch. If there are any weaknesses with this processor it's with pulling that last little bit of detail from in analog performance, but the digital side of things are about as good as it gets. For HT I have zero complaints. With properly matched speakers this processor will do it's thing and does it very well indeed. Very detailed, exceptional D/A conversion througout. I switch back and forth between the analog inputs using my Sony's D/A coverters to the onboard converters used by the Outlaw and both are very good, I can easily live with either. IMO, for HT there your gonig to need to spend MUCH more to get better performance than this. BTW, the analog performanc is still better than the other units I've owned and I've been able to live with it very easily. Most will find it good enough, the really critical crowd will want more. According the the Outlaw website the 990 which replaces this unit has improved analog performance, probably my next upgrade (I'll do another review and let you know how they compare if I get that unit). Bottom line is that you can spend a whole lot more and get a whole lot less. I'm a huge Outlaw fan.

I have an Outlaw 950 and an Acurus Act 3 running into an Acurus A150 going to my Klipsch Fortes. I only use them in stereo so keep that in mind. The Outlaw has an 80hz crossover that cuts out all of the lows, which sucks for stereo listening but is probably great for theater use. It can be bypassed but sounds more like a bass boost was turned on. The bypass only works on analog inputs and not digital, another downer. It also starts to distort at higher volumes.

I switched over to the Acurus Act 3. It was night and day difference. The Acurus sounds amazing. Very full and open...the opposite of the Outlaw. It may be that the Pre and the amp are matched therefore should sound good. Maybe the Outlaw just can't keep up.

I may attempt to use the Outlaw in my theater and give it one more chance. Maybe I will just sell it and call it a loss.