The new Outlaw 990!

Shell

Just got the following email from outlaw.

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If you have visited the Outlaw Saloon in the past few days you have probably noticed a new section under "Preamplifiers,
Processors and Receivers" titled Model 990. Since that post was started on April 1, it was natural for some of you to suspect
that it was an April Fool's gag, but as many of you have guessed from the additional images that have since been posted, the
Model 990 is our new Preamp/Processor/Tuner. (For those who have not yet seen the images, you may access them through their own
thread in the Model 990 section of the Outlaw Saloon.)

This is a very real product that goes to the heart of our theme for this month: "It may be April, but we ain't fool'n!"

In service to that theme, we want to make this statement right up front: the pictures in the Saloon are not mock-ups, prototypes
or samples. They are photos of the first units off the production line that were sent to the Hideout via air freight for incoming
quality inspection. "WE AIN'T FOOL'N!" This is not something off in the distance. Rather, it has gone through an eighteen month
development and alpha and beta test processes. The first production run has been completed and a shipment is on the water to us
as you read this.

Within the next week to ten days you will receive a more complete Newsletter with full details and specifications on the Model
990. But now that the cat is out of the bag, it is appropriate that we let you in on what we are confident will be a worthy
successor to the Model 950 as the best value in home theater. (As a side note, the Model 950 continues to be available for those
with strict budgets.)

By way of top-line bullets, here are the Model 990's key features:

- Full-featured surround processor/tuner with Dolby Digital EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES,
DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6 and Stereo Bypass modes.
- Unmatched range of audio, video and digital inputs including two-input DVI switching (video-compatible with HDMI), three
high-bandwidth (over 100 MHz) component video inputs, high-quality phono input, five optical digital inputs, two coaxial digital
inputs, USB input for computer audio playback, "direct" inputs with bass management for use with DVD-A, SACD and future high-def
DVD players and multiple analog audio, video and S-Video inputs. (Yes, we know you would have preferred that HDMI be included in
this list of inputs. We would have loved to include HDMI, but it is still a technology in transition and it is possible that the
currently available implementations may not be upgradeable. The combination of DVI and "direct" analog inputs insures
compatibility with future formats and players.)
- High performance 192/24 DACs on all output channels feeding both balanced audio outputs and standard line level audio outputs.
Stereo subwoofer outputs.
- Powerful configuration system with quadruple crossover bass-management, renameable inputs, automated setup for speaker size,
delay and output levels.
- Lip sync delay individually adjustable for each video input up 250 mS for perfect image-to-sound alignment with digital video
displays, processors and sources.
- Stereo up-sampling of all PCM and analog input signals to 192 kHz.
- Upgradeable software and firmware via either RS-232 or USB connection.
- High quality video cross-conversion from composite or S-Video to component, with menus visible on the component output.
- Full multi-room system, complete with remote for second zone.

We'll save the complete details for our next Newsletter, but there is one more item to reveal at this time. Taking a look at the
preliminary feature list shown above you might wonder what the price is. After the beta testers looked at the Model 990's
features and build quality, and most importantly compared its sonic quality to some very expensive competitors, they guessed that
even when considering Outlaw's tradition of value priced products the Model 990's price could be north of $2,000.

The Outlaws have always promised that "The best values in home theater are only a mouse click away"™, and the Model 990 more than
meets that pledge.

The introductory price, guaranteed for the next 90 days, is $1,099. We could say more about the price, but we think it speaks for
itself.

At this point, only one big question is left: "When?" Although the first shipment is on the water and we have a reasonable idea
of the transit time, increased port security and other inland transportation issues beyond our control make it difficult to tell
when the units will hit the warehouse. Thus, rather than set too optimistic a date and risk disappointment, we will simply
estimate availability within the next 30 to 45 days. We should have a better handle on the ship date within the next two weeks,
and at that time we will start a reservation list. Although reservations and initial shipments will be on a "first come-first
served" basis, we want to be fair and make certain that everyone has equal notice as to when the list will open.

The Model 990 has been a stealth project for us for well over two years, and we know that you are anxious to have more details
and to see and hear it for yourself. In addition to what will come in our next Newsletter, the Model 990 will be part of our
expanded demo room at the Home Entertainment Show in New York at the end of the month, along with pre-production samples of the
Model 1070 receiver, RR 2150 RetroReceiver and perhaps some other surprises. Plan your trip now!

AND WE AIN'T FOOL'N!

danger boy

damn! nice looking

polkatese

very nice, indeed!

for $1100, comes with balanced XLR, I don't think anything else come close to this one. ok, so who's going to be the first one around here?

Dennis Gardner

They wait too long between models, but what they deliver is really good quality and value. This would be on my short list of preamps if I was in the market.

DG

cfrizz

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

I really need to stay out of forums. What I don't know about, I can't get tempted by!

dorokusai

I think it looks cheap....the **** is nice but that faceplate is generic looking.

cfrizz

That seems to be the trend these days. A nice clean face plate, unless you look at the makers insignia, they practically all look alike.

Shell

dorokusai, I hear what you are saying. However, I like very clean uncomplicated faceplates. I would have used larger buttons and knobs because of all the room they have, but I like the way it looks nonetheless.

Dennis Gardner

They certainly go more in the vein of NAD than Pioneer Elite don't they. Understated no doubt.

jdhdiggs

I like the minimalist faceplate as long as it isn't plastic, which is what it looks like on my monitor.

PolkThug

I am baffled at the lack of HDMI.

dorokusai

Shell - Don't get me wrong, as I also like a minimalist design....the faceplate just doesn't work for me. It may look much better in person and that wouldn't suprise me at all.

I think it's the use of the silver on the faceplate is what has thrown me....it draws attention too much to the right of the unit. It just doesn't flow very well aesthetically.

I hope the buttons are at least aluminum, if they are plastic, then that's a little lame.

danger boy

looks aside. how does it sound is what we all reallin interested in right?

True to Outlaw. it is very simple looking from the front.

I wish i had the change for it. That's what i've been dreaming of for a while not. a nice state of the art pre amp.

reeltrouble1

Originally posted by polkatese
very nice, indeed!

for $1100, comes with balanced XLR, I don't think anything else come close to this one. ok, so who's going to be the first one around here?

Well, you could be the first to buy it and sell me that junker ref50 you have!!!!:cool:

RT1

AsSiMiLaTeD

Mark's two posts pretty much sum up my feelings as well. Even if everything is metal and aluminum and the faceplate looks better in person, it's looks a bit lopsided to me...but I'm super anal about things being symetrical.

It's hard for me to stand even having a sub on one side of my rig and not the other, same with the audio cabinet. Guess I'll have to build a full entertainment center and add another sub :-)

I'm sure that's an awesome pre though...

unc2701

I dont care too much about the HMDI- I'd rather have things going down seperate cables, myself. I'm with doro- kinda looks ugly...

Anyone know about Zone 2 ability? Kind hard to tell. Only has 3 Coax I/O's 2 in, 1out maybe?

Still looks hot and for that price, it might bump off Anthem & B&K on my AV preamp list.

VR3

Whats up with the silver? Looks completely out of place, might as of well just painted it green. Looks like a cheap toy, IMO

AsSiMiLaTeD

...and maybe everyone will go out and grab one of these and the 950 will start going down in price...

unc2701

Huh- looks like it has dual sub outs- see the two purple rca's? That's nice.

shack

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
...and maybe everyone will go out and grab one of these and the 950 will start going down in price...

It's already down to $699 which is not a bad price.

I do miss the GREEN power on/off button on the 990.

Early B.

Definitely on the ugly side, but who cares? I'll probably get dogged for saying this, but the balanced inputs are a waste. I'm guessing the overwhelming majority of consumers won't use them. Mostly a marketing gimmick.

Not complaining, though. I'm sure the unit is awesome. Be nice if I could afford it.

I wonder what the SQ distinction is between the 950 and 990. I have a very simple HT setup -- no bells and whistles at all, so maybe I can grab a used 950 for $500 or less when they start flooding the market in a few weeks.

Toxis

Originally posted by dorokusai
I think it looks cheap....the **** is nice but that faceplate is generic looking.

E X A C T L Y ! ! ! Not to mention, why the hell did they have DVI switching without HDMI? You do realize DVI will be a dead format in under a year right... Might as well have a Betamax or LD input.

Frank Z

- Unmatched range of audio, video and digital inputs including two-input DVI switching (video-compatible with HDMI)

Looks like it's compatible.

unc2701

uhhh.... HDMI IS DVI. It just adds some wires to carry the sound. Now, would you rather have your fancy IC's for audio or run them down the same wire as all that video data???

Me, I'd rather have one cable for my DVI video and one cable for my coax digital audio... HDMI is just for people who want less wires- it's no different from the current available connections and you can get a breakout adapter if your gear doesn't have HDMI.

The standard is still up in the air (i believe) because some companies want L& analog +coax digital +DVI all in a single cable.

dorokusai

I enjoy all those new connections so much that I don't even use them, who cares, I certainly don't.

I like my PQ, period.

Toxis

I'm sorry but to say DVI IS HDMI is like saying Digital Coax IS Optical. There is a difference, might be minimal but the difference is still there. HDMI has better black levels IMO. Sure I'm not a fan of running the audio down the same cable but that is a benefit to the mass market therefore, HDMI is by far killing DVI. Again, DVI will start to go the way side real quick like...

unc2701

Oops... I stand corrected- they've change the standard since I last read about it- The video is still DVI, but something I just read says that they've added PCM streams for 8 channels worth of audio. Yes, PCM, not DTS or dolby (but you can have DTS or dobly stream over it).... However, there isn't any gear I know of that actually outputs that.

Regardless, the video section is DVI, and they're not changing that. Guess we'll just have to get four benchmark DAC's.

unc2701

Originally posted by Toxis
I'm sorry but to say DVI IS HDMI is like saying Digital Coax IS Optical.

Toxis- how could you have a passive adapter HDMI-> DVI if they weren't identical? You can buy them for $25... On the video section they're the same- just a different pinout.

Maybe the TV's you've seen just put more effort into the HDMI cable/connection, but your coax/optical comparison is something completely different.

maggiefan

Just an opinion here, but why would anyone with a HT set up want to send the audio signal to the TV, any TV, no way. I just don't see the point in that.

Danny Tse

Don't know whether you guys are following a very similar thread over at HTF (Home Theater Forum) on the Outlaw 990....

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230590&perpage=30&display=&pagenumber=1

danger boy

by the time HDMI is common place in receivers.. there will already be the next generation digital connector on TV's. and past experience has shown. it will be totally different, and not compatible.