Niles or Outlaw?

Mr. Sharpe

Between a Nile Audio SI-2125 Power Amplifier and a pair of Outlaw Audio Model 2200 Monoblocks which one would you get? which one have you heard or have had experience with?

Who has experience with either of these amps. I am trying to choose between the two. I know NAD makes very nice audio equiptment and I figure NILES is right up there with them.

For a little while there I had my heart completely set on a pair of Mono blocks from Outlaw then decided to give Crutchfield another look over and found the Niles amp.

I was going to get an Adcom Gfa-1A off Ebay but 1: I'm inheriting one and 2: the guy says it works great, they all do, I just don't want to buy something used and it not work at all when I get it. and "no returns excepted" throws up a red flag for me.

WilliamM2

Niles is more known for whole house, or distributed audio. Impedance matching switches, remote volume controls, etc. I've heard their 6 and 12 channel amps, but only with in-wall speakers, so not much to go on. I don't think they have anything to do with NAD.

That said, the Outlaw has almost double the power, and more than double the warranty at 5 years.

WilliamM2

Why not something like this?

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122911

Mr. Sharpe

I was just saying that I think Niles up there quality wise with NAD. not a part of it. thanks for the link, I'll definitely ask what's up with that.

fredg369

Go with Parasound!
I have Polk monitor 70s powered by a Parasound HCA-1000 125w,but more important its a high current amp putting out 45amps...The speakers sound unbelievable,highs are crisp and lows are tight...good stuff...and its THX certified...The amp is bridgeable at 400watts mono into 4 or 8 ohms...if you buy used most people that own this type of equipment usually take care of it.So try to be the second owner not the third..lol

Check out their site for the New Classic line of amps...you wont be sorry.:cool:

http://www.parasound.com/nc/

heiney9

Mr. Sharpe wrote: »

I was just saying that I think Niles up there quality wise with NAD.

Not really, two different applications. If you are just considering one or the other, go with Outlaw.

Mr. Sharpe

I see what you're getting at. I'll look for something used from Parasound, I've always wanted something from them

so either Parasound or Outlaw now haha

Mr. Sharpe

fredg369 wrote: »

Go with Parasound!
I have Polk monitor 70s powered by a Parasound HCA-1000 125w,but more important its a high current amp putting out 45amps..

http://www.parasound.com/nc/

I've always been a little hazy on the 45 amp peaks and what not, could you explain that to me please? that couldn't mean that it peaks at 5600 watts could it?? or is that exactly what that means?

mantis

I have been using Niles amps for many years now on countless Installs. I have Installed the Si2125 with Martin Logan speakers in a Denon receiver system for the mains. This amp has very nice control and power. It's nicely dynamic and worth every single penny at full retail.
I always prefer to have a good quality receiver that matches your speaker system before adding an amp. I saw your gear list , what speakers are you trying to power with it and why do you think you need it?
The money spending on an amp I strongly suggest upgrading your receiver to again something thats better suited to power your entire speaker package. All channels are important and should all be matched.
In my system If I felt I needed more power or control over what my current receiver could do , I would add a multichannel amp like 5 or 7 channels. This will assure me my dynamic range will remain constant in all channels. I have done systems in the past with a awesome 2 channel amp running the mains which we added for 2 channel music but then theater suffered as the center channel didn't keep up with the mains dynamics due to the better amp. If anything at least get a center channel amp as well perfectly matching the main amp.
The Niles Si2125 is designed for multi room music where a better pair of speakers like floor standing are going to be used. This is a nice upgrade from their 30 or 60 watt offerings. Honestly I don't care for it in this situation.

Mr. Sharpe

Well I have an Adcom GFP-1a and I'm thinking of using it with and an amp. I want to power my tower speakers with it. but I'm jumping around now, I was looking at outlaw for sure, then I looked at marantz mono blocks, then Parasound now Adcom. My dad has a GFA-1a and it sounds amazing, I'm really starting to lean towards an adcom now since it'll match the preamp. through my headphones the preamp sounds better than my computer and portable Cd player.
I'm a weirdo and want as much power as I can get and looks like Adcom would be a good amp to get. plus I won't always be powering just these towers with it. some day I hope to get either some Polk SDA speakers or RTI's.
thank you for the reply.

reeltrouble1

Mr. Sharpe wrote: »

I'm a weirdo

then you show excellent potential for lifelong membership.

niles or outlaw...well, depends, would you rather pierce you eardrum with a needle or an ice pick???

NAD and Polk....good
Parasound and Polk....good

Have fun, understand nobody likes their baby called ugly. oh and beware the mp3 people.

RT1

fredg369

Mr. Sharpe wrote: »

I've always been a little hazy on the 45 amp peaks and what not, could you explain that to me please? that couldn't mean that it peaks at 5600 watts could it?? or is that exactly what that means?

I'm not a engineer so this vid from audio advisor & parasound can explane it better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_22XOakyxM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Mr. Sharpe

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

then you show excellent potential for lifelong membership.

niles or outlaw...well, depends, would you rather pierce you eardrum with a needle or an ice pick???

NAD and Polk....good
Parasound and Polk....good

Have fun, understand nobody likes their baby called ugly. oh and beware the mp3 people.

RT1

thank you:) and I don't use mp3's... is that good? lol

fredg369 wrote: »

I'm not a engineer so this vid from audio advisor & parasound can explane it better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_22XOakyxM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That makes perfect sense. thanks for that. It is a struggle to life my Onkyo receiver, it is not a struggle to life my RCA lol the Onkyo probably weighs four times as much.

reeltrouble1

Mr. Sharpe wrote: »

thank you:) and I don't use mp3's... is that good? lol

yes it is good, albiet they have found a niche.

I did not watch the video as I have done the engineering long ago...you will see some folks just say..trust your ears...ok, still sage advice, if you like it and it gets your toe tapping great, this hobby can grab hold of you and becomes an obsession. How far you want to go in understanding electronic sound reproduction and its seemingly endless paths, pitfalls, and passions is an individual thing.

An amplifier which has a balanced circuit, few gain stages, discreet circuitry, torodial transfomers, approriate care in deciding feedback issues, quality capacitors, shielding and such goes hand in hand with sound quality..and I just skimmed the surface so to speak...yes the weight of an amp is an indication of quality as far as traditional amplifiers go.

Listening to so much gear has been one of the most rewarding parts of longtime membership in this club, so enjoy yourself Mr. S.

RT1

Mr. Sharpe

Thanks a bunch. I've actually sort of just stopped wanting the Niles and outlaws all together and am thinking about getting an Adcom GFA-1a if I can find one. It's a funny amp to me, you'd think you could just pick it up but you really almost need hand trucks even though it's so small. either that or two of those Marantz ma700's. it depends.

Thanks again Reel

heiney9

The Adcom GFA 555 would be a better choice and easier to find. The GFA1's are earlier than the 555 and I think the 555 sounds a little better.

Just throwing it out there.

H9

Mr. Sharpe

well the GFA's pop up on ebay every now and again, and the 555 costs more. I would get a newer one but I grew up listening to the 1a. although I won't go without considering a 555.

thanks h9