Outlaw M200 Monoblock Quick Review

Dr. Spec

Hi guys:

Last night I hooked up the three Outlaw M200 monoblocks from Venomclan.

The amps arrived in perfect shape, and look and function just fine. The amps seem very well built, with a beefy pancake style torroidal transformer.

The auto-on funtion works very fast and at low volumes - very nice. As advertised, they run very cool, even when stacked. Regardless, I've got them on the top of the cabinet, for best air flow. And they look way cool too.

I'm using Better Cables Silver Serpents for the ICs - no complaints there. I would have otherwise used SCA2's but I fell into these locally.

The front stage is now amped with the Outlaws, and the 3803 is only powering the side surrounds on high rez (and the sides/rears on HT).

I actually considered a direct run from the 2900 to the Outlaws, but I'll need Y splitters to connect both the 3803 and the 2900 to the M200's so I can switch between music and HT without troubles. I'll give this more thought over time.....

The 800's just love these amps, is all I can say. Slightly brighter treble, broader and deeper soundstage, considerably more detail (complex lyrics are also easier to follow), better imaging and air space around instruments (like the acoustic guitar), and much greater dynamics on transients (this was really noticeable).

After sitting in the dark for a few hours with these amps, probably the best compliment I can pay them is that the system sounds less like electronics, and more like music. The transformation is at once both subtle and marked, actually.

Worth it? You bet! A very nice upgrade to my system, especially for music. Thanks to all who provided input and advice - Russman was right on the bean (as usual). The M200 can definitely be added to the "recommended list" for anyone looking for external power.

Doc

dave shepard

Thanks for the review Doc and for pulling the trigger to give them a try. I was hoping someone would or could have given them a try with the same or like speakers I have to compare the sound benifet and draw backs (if any). The one thing I really don't like to do is purchase for try-out and returning something because it didn't workout. I will deff. be giving these a closer look when I'm ready. How much extra headroom do you feel you gained by adding these?

Dave

Dr. Spec

Well, on paper only about 3 dB (110 vs. 200) but the difference at higher volumes is quite noticeable. Clean, effortless, and sharp transients - very robust and dynamic. Outlaw claims these amps will drive any speaker you throw at them, and I tend to agree. I've had Pomp and Pipes cranking at -7 for the last hour and they are still running cool and clean.

Dr. Spec

Here's a low res shot of them. They don't take up much room at all, really.

Doc

HBombToo

I had no doubt you would be impressed Doc. My 800i's love the Outlaw!

HBomb

Dr. Spec

It's interesting. I find better electronics to provide more refinement of the source.

Really, all we can hope for is to minimize the loss of fidelity in the signal. As I add better electronics, cables, players, etc., the sonic and visual "picture" just seems to get a little bit more in focus and faithful to the original.

This subtle (but marked) refinement and improvement that electronics can add can be contrasted with something overtly obvious like upgrading your subwoofer from the PSW350 to dual 2039CS+ where they aren't even in the same zip code.

Sure, the sub is way more bang for the buck, but in some ways the electronics and cabling can be just as satisfying of an upgrade in their own unique way.

Doc

bigsexy1

Congrats Doc. This was the next logical step for you. Your 3803 was likely hitting about 70 to 75 watts per channel at most with all 7 driven simultaneously, and probably even less than that, maybe even only 45 or 50. So this was a signifigant upgrade.

Since you are in SACD/DVD audio so much, have you ever considered getting another set of 70s (the world's greatest speaker of all time!:D) to go as the "B" back surrounds?

As for Y splitters, do you (or anyone else) know of any high quality oes that won't degrade the signal any? Or have you ever heard of a Y cable? I seem to vaugely remember seeing somewhere before where better cables or somebody like that made actual Y cables.

Dr. Spec

Thanks BS1. I have two Monster Y splitters and they seem very well built. I use them in my test rig more than anything.

No room for anything but the 1000's as side surrounds, and they seem to do fine for high res. Not really into it that much; probably listen to 2 channel CDs far more.

Early B.

Dr. Spec --

How large is your room and what is your impression of the 3803 for music and HT? I just ordered one to replace a HK 525.

Dr. Spec

How large is your room and what is your impression of the 3803 for music and HT? I just ordered one to replace a HK 525.

About 2000 ft3 - maybe 12x18 with some adjacent space and a stairwell.

The 3803 does very well for all formats. The front end is outstanding - top grade DSP and DACs, and "super" flexible.

The amp stage has no probs powering 7 pretty big speakers set to small. It never shut down or even ran hot in my applications, but my room is pretty moderate in size.

I only added the external amps because I didn't want to see them be sold elsewhere. I never "needed" them per se. They do sound better than the 3803 amps, but the 3803 alone is still most satisfactory. I think you will like it very much.