Schiit Vidar Outlaw RR2160


Getting back into vinyl so I dusted off my old Kenwood KA 701, JBL 110's and a Technics SLQ3.  They were all purchased in the late 70's and I am ready to start my upgrade process. Don't have a big budget compared to many on this forum, however, I will share with you what I am considering.   Upgraded the Technics with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB just recently.

B
y my choice of amplifiers in the topic heading, you can tell my budget is apx $700-800 for an amp. Why the Outlaw? Good reviews with the added bonus of a receiver. Planning to add at the same time a Schiit Freya pre-amp and a pair of Tekton Lores ($1000) for speakers.  So you can see my total budget is only 2400 for pre-amp, amp and speakers.  

If it helps I listen to female vocalists, classic rock, soundtracks and musicals.

Looking for feedback on my choice of equipment.  Thanks
128x128johnmarzy
I've had the RR2160 for  a few months now. Great customer service by the way.  Since I'm between my usual brand of speakers until the new ones arrive tomorrow, I found myself using an old pair of Advent's that I keep around because I really love the sound.  I had not taken advantage of some of the sonic adjustments you can make with the Outlaw until this last week.  You can do some serious tweaking with the bass and treble, EQ etc. that make a huge difference.

By the way when I was talking to a tech at Outlaw I mentioned that when I unpacked the new  unit there was a screw or washer rattling around. I offered to take the unit apart and find it, just wanted them to acknowledge it was OK to do it.  He decided that they would rather send me a new unit so that it wouldn't become a problem down the road.  Pretty amazing service.

The one picky issue I have is the remote.  It's metal and otherwise great, but it's beam is very narrow and when I sit to the side as I sometimes do, I have to aim it carefully at the unit to get it to engage.  I also wish the text was larger on the screen-from my sitting position (and vision) its tough to read without some squinting.  Otherwise a great unit and an amazing value really.
I have the Outlaw 2160 and it is wonderful. But I also have an issue: whe I use the 3.5mm jack from the computer to the analog input of the receiver the sound is more natural than if I use the usb route. I dont know why. Would a better external dac resolve this issue? I don't like the "artificial" sound coming from the computer (streaming) when connecting via USB.
@guscaldas

In his original review of the Outlaw 2150 receiver (2006), Mike Fremer noted that the USB port was not all that great.  You may wish to check his review in Stereophile

https://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/306outlaw/index.html

Rich 
Enjoy the journey John.

I own the Outlaw rr-2160 a can tell you that I'm happy with its performance.
I paid $799.00 for it a couple of years ago and mainly listen via headphones.
I asume your going to use the Tekon speakers with an integrated amp?
If so, you don't need a pre-amp along with a integrated amp - because an integrated amp has a pre-amp and power built into one product. And usually a phono pre-amp (MM and or MC).

Are you going to be listening mainly with headphones or through the speakers? Maybe both from time to time? The reason I ask, is I found I rarely listen via my speakers and instead with my headpones. If I had to chose again, I'd buy a tubed pre-amp like a Rogue and forget about powering the speakers for now.
Having had a tubed pre-amp in the past, I can tell you that they sound more "musical" than inexpensive solid state pre-amps. You can always add a power amp latter.

Or.......................buy a Rogue integrated amp - which has a tube pre-amp and a solid state class D amp. I've heard this integrated and loved the sound. I think they are around   $1,500.00 and include  a remote, headphone jack and phono stage.

Have fun, be safe and wellcome back.