Bewildering array of input/output choices; state of the art signal processing; fairly easy to understand and navigate setup menus; unbelievable price for features.

1. No headphone jack. 2. No power/wattage meters. 3. No phono input (phono line in) built in.

I bought the 950 Preamp/Processor as part of Outlaw's package deal, with their 770 7-channel amp. This was the first time I'd used separates since about 15 years ago. This replaced an ancient Carver 100 watt receiver, circa 1987. First of all, the 950 has enough connections on the rear for most every component you might like to add, in this decade. Secondly, it contains most every surround- and other sound processing mode you could hope for (other than not being THX-certified). Thirdly, if, like me, you are as interested in audio reproduction as you are in video (i.e. DVD), this processor seems to be a dream come true, for a great price (the 950 alone is $899, the 950 along with the 770 7-channel amp is $2498, tax and connecting cables not included). In fact, the processor includes "5 channel" and "7 channel" processing for stereo input signals, as well as the fantastic "Cirrus Extra Surround" processing, for whatever inputs (either stereo, digital, multi-channel, etc). The thing I was most amazed about is the sound I got out of the system by replacing ONLY the Carver with the Outlaw 950/770 combo. I maintained my existing, fairly mediocre speakers (2 15-year-old Bose 601's and 2 Infinity bookshelf speakers, along with a new, $200 Polk center speaker). The sound quality for stereo recordings, either digital or analog (i.e. CD, whether DDD or AAD or AAD, and phono/tape/other coax stereo inputs), gives new pleasure to even old things that you thought you were hearing before. Set-up of the components is pretty easy, and you have the option of adjusting speaker trim and location. I'd compared this with similar products by Rotel, Sherbourne, and Atlantic, and, interestingly enough, the 950 is pretty much the same (so I've read) as the Sherbourne and Atlantic, except that Outlaw is supposedly the designer of the unit. It's much less expensive, though, and, in my opinion (at least so far), well worth the money. Finally, the e-mail, on-line, and phone support and comments from Outlaw have been spectacular. All in all, a very fine unit from a company that deserves to sell a boatload of these things. If you want excellent home theater processing and control, this is it. If you're not interested in sacrificing the sound from your older stereo 2-channel sources, it's still outstanding (note--you will need a separate phone amp for a turntable, which can be obtained for less than $50 from major audio chains).

Build quality, useful surround modes. The DPL2 music settings can be tweaked into a very subtle ambient effect that sometimes sounds better than stereo for music. Loads of digital sources. Power on input signals are convenient.

I've had some trouble with the remote. Attempts to get the macro buttons to pwer off the equipment have not been successful. There's a little bit of latency from the time a button is pressed until the actual execution of the function. My Onkyo remote was faster. The black powder coat and Outlaw logo is a little bland. Brushed black aluminum would look classier, but performance and value is what really matters.

I ordered the 950 pre-amp in conjunction with the 755 5-channel amp so I got an additional $100 off of the $900 price of the 950. My system consists of: Outlaw 950 pre-amp Outlaw 755 amp (replaces Onkyo DS-777 reciver) Onkyo DV-CP500 DVD/CD player NHT Super Ones mains NHT Super Center center channel NHT Super Zeros surround channels JBL PB-10 10" downfiring sub,150 watts I initially hooked up the 950 to the multi-channel input on my Onkyo DS-777 AV receiver. The 950 took some of the edginess out of the sound and produced I higher level of detail than I had experienced with the Onkyo pulling double duty. I listened to Sarah McLaughlin's "Surfacing" CD through digitial output, and found the sound of her voice to sound softer and very complimentary to the soft dome tweeters on the Super Ones. I found this very welcome since the tendecy of the acoustically suspended NHT's is slightly bright played on the Onkyo. The overall sonic character still is slightly warmer and more realistic sounding. Bass was a a little more extended, but there was detail in the bass that I was not expecting to gain from this upgrade in equipment. Once I hooked up the 955 amplifier, I was treated to an improvement in the listening experience to yet another level. The noise floor is extremely low- I cannot here any signs of hiss. At this point the increase in mid-range and low-end detail was quite noticeable. It took a while to figure out the proper crossover frequencies within the 950 and on the subwoofer's crossover adjustment. Once dialed in, the tonal qualities that are produced by this combination of audio equipment fully justifies the move to separates. The dynamic range experienced at higher volumes steps up to a different league. I can't get over the musicality coming from the bass notes on my Pat Metheny "Beyond the Missourri Sky" CD and Diana Krall "Live in Paris" really takes advantage of the NHT's ability to produce accurate, velvety voice frequencies. Violins and cellos on Vivaldi, Four Seasons are transparent. The performance for movies is equally impressive, but less dramatic of an improvement over the Onkyo with DVD movies as there is with music. The maindifference is a slighly warmer character and improved dynamic range and bass detail. As a value oriented audio enthusiast, I highly recommend the 950 pre-amp, and also recommend the 755 amp if you are in the market. At this price-point, the outlaw pre-amp and amp combo is a blue chip winner over expensive A/V receivers. I cannot think of a better choice for the move to separates without paying significantly more for ATI, Rotel, Parasound, Sherbourne or Sunfire.

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Denon AVR 3200 Onkyo DS-777

Only one monitor output

What a wonderful product. I love everything about the unit. I disagree with a previous post, I put my ear up to the treater with the volume control at full and no input and could not hear anything, dead quiet. There is no noise problem. The unit is easy to use and the remote is great. I have retired my Marantz RM-2000 which cost over $200 in favor of the Outlaw remote. The built in codes on the Outlaw are better than the codes I was able to get into the RM-2000 in learn mode, makes for more of a unified feel to action of the buttons. The internal DACs are very nice as well. My wife has a golden ear and preferred the sound of the Outlaw DAC to the DACs in our Marantz CD player. She heard things she never heard before on CDs she is very familiar with. The set-up is a snap. I have only good things to say about the unit. I have only had it a few days, but there is no way it is going back. The rest of the audio system: Amplifier Classe CA-400 Speakers Thiel 3.6

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Marantz AV-600 Technics AC-500D

Outstanding customer service (and see my previous review)

See my previous review

I said I would come back and post a 5 if Outlaw fixed the hiss issue, and they have, at least to my satisfaction. I have had a rev 3 unit for 2 weeks now, which has 1/4 the amount of hiss (in my system) that the (rev 2) unit I got in Sept had. So, kudos to Outlaw! Now, if only they can fix the signal lock issue (for example, loses the lock momentarily after about 1 min into track 8 on Pearl Jam's Riot Act when the music goes silent, and in between tracks 8 and 9 because the gap is so large), and the phase difference between and mains and the sub, between the digital inputs and the 5.1 analog inputs... :-) Great value for the money.

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Ditto.

Superior Audio Performance; Functional A/V Feature Set; Quality Components and Construction; Simplicity of Design; Value

Outlaw Logo must go; Lack of Balanced Outputs

I have owned the 950 A/V pre-processor, paired with the Outlaw 770 amplifier (7 channels) for more than three months. Before purchasing this product, I read every review available in print and on the internet. I spoke directly with the technical representatives from Outlaw, especially concerning the complaints of hiss some have experienced with the initial release of the Model 950. There have been so many passionately different opinions about this product (this site for example), that I chose to wait until now before posting this review. A thirty day unconditional satisfaction warranty and the Outlaws' pre-sale support provided the security I needed take the plunge. At this level of audio, most of us become compulsive knob tweakers who search for that weak link in the chain that compromises the aggregate quality of the system we want so much to love, but never unconditionally. The A/V features of the Model 950 are capable enough for all but a few in the audiophile community. While it may not have some of the very high-end features such as balanced audio outputs, or THX post-processing, it does all the fundamental tasks as "flawlessly" as one would expect from equipment many times the cost. Outlaw has a design philosophy based on essential functionality, quality and simplicity that reminds one of military spec equipment or aircraft instrumentation. If you love the possibilities of Yamaha's 56 different soundfield modes, get a Yamaha. If you are a big fan of B&O, you probably won't like the Outlaw aesthetic. And despite my own affection of the overall design, the Outlaw logo is quite simply... ugly. Outlaws' claims that its' published specifications are conservative, which I believe to be consistent with a company that literally pulled the 950 off the production line for months to address the "hiss issue" identified by a small proportion of its' customers. I own one of the redesigned 950's, and matched with the 770 amp, is about as good as it can get. There is no hiss, the sound processing features work, and provide good flexibility for different speaker characteristics and equipment connections. The 950 / 770 combination is clean, clear and uncolored; a must for the B&W speakers at the other end of the wire. I find no reason to apologize for how inexpensive it is, or how basic it looks.

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Lexicon, Rotel, Sunfire, Crown

Sound, Sound, Sound. Music and Movies are great with lots of detail. Hearing things in movies and music that I never heard before.

I guess I'm getting old, but the display is too small from where I sit and I can't tell what the volume is set to unless I get up and move closer. Also, I thought you would be able to choose 6 Channel Analog for SACD and DVDA from the front panel but apparently you can't. It must be chosen from the remote. This confused me for a few hours.

Finally stepped up to the world of separates with my recent purchase of the 950/770 combo. To give you some basis for my review, I'm spent the last 5-6 years with a Kenwood 1080VR. Not the best piece of audio equipment you can imagine. So this step up is difficult to be anything but great, but here is what I think so far. Music is incredible! I rarely listened to music at home because it sounded like crap. No detail, no umpf no nothing. Enter the 950, pop in Norah Jones and put it into 5 channel stereo and it is complete eargasim. DVD Audio is equally amazing. Blue Man Group and FleetWood Mac are the only two I've auditioned so far, but the sound has been incredible. I'm not an expert in home electronics, but I know what sounds good and what doesn't and the 950 sounds awsome. As for movies, I'm equally pleased. I haven't watched many movies at this point on the 950 but what I've seen puts a smile on my face. Bottom line, for the money, I don't see how the 950 can be beat.

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Kenwood 1080VR (Not very similar but that's all I've had)

Crisp, dynamic sound in all formats. 7.1 capable, every current sound format represented. STUNNING value.

Remote ergonomics a little funky. Not the prettiest thing in the world.

First off, I am a compulsive upgrader, and have a terminal case of the "grass is greener" syndrome. Due to this malady, I have owned the following pre/pros over the years (all paired with either Sherbourn 5/1500A or EAD Powermaster 1000): Lexicon DC-1 (good sound, flawless operation) Aragon Soundstage (terrific sound, one of the best) Acurus ACT-3 (best under $1000 until Outlaw 950) EAD Encore (great on music, lacks HT dynamics, buggy) EAD Ovation Plus (superb on music, weak HT dynamics) Sunfire TGII (Great dynamics, terrific music performance. All in all, the best one of the bunch. Only reason sold is needed money more than the unit.) Bryston SP-1 (deathly quiet, ruthlessly dynamic, painfully anylitical on music) Anthem AVM20: (outstanding HT, uninvolving music) A recent downturn in personal fortune had me sell all my gear and settle down with a receiver (I chose the Denon 4800) for HT and my Jolida 202A integrated tube amp for music (breathtaking on female vocals and Jazz). Good lord, the Denon was a big step down. As receivers go, a fine unit, but my ears were used to some very pretty sounds by now. I couldn't settle for the Denon, but didn't really have the cash to get back into seperates. Then again, thanks to Outlaw, I did. I grabbed a used 750 amp on Audiogon and dusted off my early 950 reservation (thanks to the miracle of Mastercard) and I was back in business. Here's what I found: YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU CAN NOW GET FOR $899! I thought I'd use this set-up until my cash flow improved, but now that it has fattened up, I feel no need to step back up to the supposed high-end stuff. The Outlaw 950 has terrific dynamic range, flawless operation, and PLENTY of features for the price. All the latest formats and setup choices are there. I'm hooked on DPL-II conversion for TV and any other mono or stereo source, and should I choose to step up to 7.1, the Outlaw is ready. It even sounds pretty good with music. (Again, with the Jolida, not an issue for me, but nice nonetheless.) It's an outstanding value, and IMHO, far more than most people need to get EVERYTHING the creators of the source intended for you to hear. Just make sure to pair it with a capable amp, and you'll be nothing less than thrilled.

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See main section

Outlaw support. Price. Quality. Sound. What else do you need?

Some flawed models released (Hiss!). Certain unique user issues for tweakers that I don't entirely understand.

I love my 950. I have one of the early models that (thankfully) had no hiss. An acquaintance had one with the hiss which was a real problem and I agree was unacceptable. As my front, center, and rear speakers are different I find the triple crossover indispensible. Setup was a piece of cake and I have no problems with the remote (which does require some memorization of buttons as the function is not always lit up in darkness). Surround modes and stereo are exceptional-I have'nt heard better.

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The 950 sonically matches up well in my opinion with the Proceed ($5000+) and sound to me a shade better than the Classe Processor amp which is also an outstanding Pre-processor. Now these two are Excellent sounding and feature full. However, they are not at least at my audition 7.1 amps, nor do they have the 950's stereo modes. At 5 to 6 times the price they do not blow the doors off the 950 sonically. Now, I will say they are about as pretty as you can get in audio and have exceptionally good builds and reproduction. However, much to their chagrin, the 950's build is solid, with features they do not possess. I expect my 950 to sound even better after break in. The unit was the easiest processor I have ever set up including the remote that now controls my whole system, (some thing the KC-Z1, Sony HDTV, SACD, Mitsubishi, RCA and Satellite remotes could not do).

My first unit had a problem with reproducing all the channels from SACD inputs in audio mode. It was replaced no hassle. The other down side...I still don't have the 6 grand I would have needed to buy the Proceed, but after living with the 950 for a few days I could not justify it even if I had the extra clams.

I am very, very happy with the sound capability of the 950. The unit is not even broken in yet and it has a very balanced, smooth sound with absolutely no harshness. It is amazing especially considering the fact that the mids and highs have absolutely no harshness. As a matter of fact the 950 exhibits no personality of it's own that I have been able to isolate. I have listened to CD, phono (Grado Statement, Denon 103D through my external phono pre, a Superphon Revelation Basic mod), SACD, satellite, DVD and VHS and none have elicited any trait from the 950 that is not directly in the music source. The detail is in the music bad or good recording you get clean highs, realistic engaging, crisp and quick mids and bottom end second to none. I mean NONE. I have had Nikko, Onyo, Mcintosh, Superphon, GAS, Kenwood, Adcom and Sansui transistor amps and the only ones in the same league are the Superphon and the Mcintosh. Of those two the C32 was rated as perhaps the best sounding McIntosh pre ever built and the Superphon was rated the best sounding pre-amp under $2000 (phono stage) The Superphon's phono stage was and still is one of the best I have ever come across including the mac. I did some custom mods on it and it is way better than original factory specs. I also have a Sansui AU-111 tube intergrated amp that pushes 40 wpc and can control two power amps. It has a custom built tube phono stage and will just about blow away any stereo preamp I have heard to date and yet the 950 and it's flexibility keeps this beast on the bench. The AU-111 is rare and can be used as a pre or power amp but deserves to be the heart of a one to three channel stereo only system. Posessing Cardis binding post, Black Gate caps and much more this baby can drive a pair of speakers and two amps simultaniously. It was almost fully rebuilt by Musical Concept's John Hillig, who also build the tube phono stage. yet the 950's SACD compatibility and sound keeps it in the starting line up without alot of drop off. Anyway, I have been around many a setup and can tell you from a performance stand point the 950 will not embarrass itself. I take a pragmatic approach to amp evaluation. I know for a fact it is possible to make a small investment into an audio product that yields big dividends. I also know for a fact that it is possible to make a very large investment that yeilds minimal audio dividends, however maximal prestiege and esthetics dividends may be derived. For me it's the music stupid and nothing but the music. the 950 is going to create a name for it self because in my opinion It already rates higher that any of the Processor Preamps I have heard either in sound, value or a combination of both. I read about the Sherwood processor and it's limitations and really, I've never heard a Sherwood I liked. Sunfire and Carver has never made an amp I thought highly of sound wise (and the Sunfire by what I've read is no world beater. The Kenwood KC-Z1 was very good sounding so long as you had a quality amp and cables and you did not use it's phono stage. Even than it took me a few weeks to adjust to it's analytical, boarderline harsh sound. The Adcoms, B&Ks and Parasounds had dry shallow sound stages and seemed unengaging almost as if something was missing. Also, they range from $700-$1500 more for their base introductory models and go up from there in price.

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Kenwood KC-Z1. RCA Surround sound Receiver, Adcom, Panisonic SS Processor. System configuration: Musical Design D140i - Front Musical Concepts PA-3/TP200/LC200 - Rear Sony DVD/SACD SuperPhon Reve

Cheap, it turned on, and the customer support was good, even though I never got a unit that worked.

Cheap, hissy, miserable 2-channel performance.

I sent it back. With my ATI amp and NEAR speakers, the 2-channel performance was lackluster. Soundstage was muddy. For movies, it was better. Except it hisses. In fact, I had two units, both supposedly with the hiss fix. You could hear hiss from 10-12 feet away, and it did not change with increase in volume level. It's like a very high noise floor. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it fell way short. I bought an Anthem AVM-20 v2.) instead, which I know is over 3x the price of the Outlaw, but the Anthem is everything I want in a pre/pro. Why settle? Especially when the Anthem is flash uprgadeable for free, so when new features come out, you can install them yourself. It'll never be obsolete. Not so the Outlaw.

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Yamaha receivers, Anthem AVM-20v2.0