Hot Separates System Recommendation Tip

[Jaycan]

The Outlaw Factor

No one has mentioned the Outlaws. I realize that it is sexy to use Yammies as pre/pro, - I'm also guilty as charged. However, has anyone taken a look at the new 990 prepro from outlaw? That thing is smoking, and just begging for a review on this website. Paired with their most powerful 7 channel amp, you get a helluva combo for less than $2700. The 990/755 combo is $2300. The 990 goes for $1100.

 

[Doug917]

I'm really left wondering why Outlaw chose to include DVI and decided not to include HDMI interfaces as well. I think this was a big mistake on their part. If your going to include digital video connections I think both types should be on there.

 

[Jaycan]

I'm really left wondering why Outlaw chose to include DVI

That is more than some high end prepros offer.

 

[Spiffyfast]

I'm really left wondering why Outlaw chose to include DVI and decided not to include HDMI interfaces as well. I think this was a big mistake on their part. If your going to include digital video connections I think both types should be on there.

Works better for me, that way I wouldn't have to use a converter cable to run to my tv

 

[legacy]

The Outlaw 990 unit seems a good value.

I haven't seen any receiver with balanced xlr style audio outputs which the 990 has. What is everyone's opinion on how much difference (if any) the xlr outputs and corresponding cables make?

 

[Audiosouse]

Gene, what excuse do boutique manufacturers of dedicated pre/pros have when brand names for half the price trump them in performance and features? How are they still in business?

It's logical that a large corporation with huge R&D resources would be able to smoke some dude in his garage in features and performance, then use thier economies of scale to price the product aggressively. So where does this staunch refusal to recognize facts come from?

That Yamaha 4600 looks so damn nice! I've got a long history with Yamaha, I've used them from the days of stereo receivers when romote volume control was an out-there feature. Even had one of the first Toslink Yamaha CD players...way back in the 1980s. NEVER had a problem with any Yamaha component.

 

[Doug917]

My main beef with using any model outside of a Yamaha is losing the the presence speakers. They add so much to the front soundstage. I don't care much about digital video inputs/outputs at this point because the sources in my price range I have looked at have very poor deinterlacing performance through these outputs. I am curious as to the side-axis channels on the Emotiva DMC-1/Sunfire and if they perform a similar function as that of the Yamahas.

 

[gene]

Gene, what excuse do boutique manufacturers of dedicated pre/pros have when brand names for half the price trump them in performance and features? How are they still in business?

Many folks are still swallowing the misconception that separates are always better than receivers. This simply isn't the case anymore. Many receivers make better pre/pros than dedicated pre/pros.

On the other hand, some also prefer the boutique pre/pros b/c they look more impressive and feel they need balanced connectors.

What most people fail to realize is balanced isn't truly balanced unless carried out from the first input to last output stage. Most amps have single ended outputs. This somewhat defeats the benefits of balanced, which in most cases isn't really needed in consumer audio in order to achieve excellent noise immunity and fidelity.

However, has anyone taken a look at the new 990 prepro from outlaw?

The Outlaw is essentially a clone of the more expensive Sherwood Newcastle but with added DVI connectors. It looks like a decent processor, but potential buyers may wish to check out this thread at AVS to determine if the Sherwood/Outlaw has the latest firmware to resolve these issues noted by other users:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=482643&highlight=sherwood+newcastle+bass+issue

 

[Jaycan]

The Outlaw is essentially a clone of the more expensive Sherwood Newcastle but with added DVI connectors. It looks like a decent processor, but potential buyers may wish to check out this thread at AVS to determine if the Sherwood/Outlaw has the latest firmware to resolve these issues noted by other users:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/show...stle+bass+issue

The software bugs detailed on the AVs site should scare anyone away form purchasing this piece of equipment. Thanks for the headsup, Gene.

 

[RLA]

The software bugs detailed on the AVs site should scare anyone away form purchasing this piece of equipment. Thanks for the headsup, Gene

Hello All
I hope the Outlaws can fix all the problems associated with the Sherwood -965 platform. When the Sherwood 965 was first introduced to market almost 2 years ago I had three that had software bugs I informed them of the problem, and posted about it over at AVS,After calling Shewood tec support and being told they were all on vacation for the rest of the week

I got blasted and ridiculed Sherwood's marketers response was that I had an ulterior motive Looks like they are still working to correct the problems I pointed out.

 

[toquemon]

Colombian style if you know what I mean

Mexican style is much better.

 

[NetGeek]

What about Brazilian Style?

Getting ready to marry one and hope she can show me a thing or two!

 

[Geoh]

All very nice choices..... but

This would be my pick for HOT separate system:

Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi - mated with the 59AVi (iLink out, iLink in)
ATI AT2007 - fully balanced design from input to output!

Do you really think you can do better than this
I don't think so.....

HIOB

 

[surveyor]

This would be my pick for HOT separate system:

Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi - mated with the 59AVi (iLink out, iLink in)
ATI AT2007 - fully balanced design from input to output!

Do you really think you can do better than this
I don't think so.....

HIOB

That would be a very nice system allright!
However;
why would you need a balanced amplifier when the XSX56TXi does not have balanced outputs on it's pre-amp outputs?

 

[hifiman]

I had a Yamaha RX-V1, which at the time was a nice piece of equipment. I used it as a receiver for a very short period of time before connecting it to an Outlaw amp. By itself the RX-V1 sounded good. When I connected it to the Outlaw it still sounded good, but different. I thought I preferred the receiver by itself, but never switched it back to determine if that was the case. Eventually I upgraded it to a Rotel RSP-1068 pre/pro. Wow, what a difference! My system really came to life. I'm not sure I would ever use a receiver as a pre/pro again. If in the future I choose to buy a receiver I'll use it strictly with its own power.

 

[Geoh]

That would be a very nice system allright!
However;
why would you need a balanced amplifier when the XSX56TXi does not have balanced outputs on it's pre-amp outputs?

Why not?
The balanced designed AT2007 would just be a bonus, maybe for future use sometime down the line. You could use a RCA to XLR cable for hookup between receiver and amp, but that would probably only benefit with a long cable run.
In reality any good 7 channel amp would yield pretty much the same results. Or,
why not just use a good 3 channel amp to drive the front stage and let the 56TXi's amps drive the surrounds.

geoh

 

[Ohmage]

I'm really left wondering why Outlaw chose to include DVI and decided not to include HDMI interfaces as well. I think this was a big mistake on their part. If your going to include digital video connections I think both types should be on there.

Outlaw sells a simple cable allowing DVI to HDMI interface conversion.

Ohmage.

 

[conchyjoe]

My 2 cents worth...

I'm currently using my admittedly a tad long in the tooth Denon AVR 5700 THX Ultra certified receiver as a pre/pro with my Parasound HCA-2205A power amp and the results are outstanding.
While I don't have multiroom capabilties, and I dont want or need them, in my one room the sound is awesome! (I have a seperate small room HT in the bedroom).
Now comes Parasound with their new stellar "Classics" line of gear. For msrp less than some flagship receivers (which do admittedly have a plethora of multiroom capablities), Parasound's new 7100 THX Ultra 2 certified pre/pro coupled to it's new 5250 (5 x 250 watts rms into 8 ohms and 385 wpc into 4 ohms) also THX Ultra 2 certified amplifier, it blows away ANY new megabuck receiver (and yep, although I love Denon; that includes the 5805) in terms of just pure enjoyable sound. All you need is a good old Rat Shack SPL meter and you're good to go.
In street prices this equipment can be had at substantially less than msrp and after hearing my friend's brand new setup with his EgglestonWorks AndraII speakers, I can tell you THAT is very very hard to forget much less duplicate. Trust me, I'll be keeping my 2205, but as soon as the cash comes along...HELLO 7100!!!
Just my 2 cents worth...
Cheer to all

 

[Geoh]

"it blows away" this, it blows away that.....

You see this everywhere you go on audio/video websites.
And each time I read it, I wonder how? why?
I've had a ton of different pre/pros, amps and receivers (more than I actually want to admit to) from all price ranges,
and have never found one to blow away another.
Maybe I should have my hearing checked......

geoh

 

[jaxvon]

I think we can all agree that a set of a B&W 801s will "Blow Away" a Bose Acousticrap system.