Outlaw Audio vs the others

boxxkar · July 2006

Does anyone have any input on how Outlaw Audio compares to other manufactures?

I discovered Outlaw as I read through these forms and I am intrigued by their "we are a better value" claim. Are they?

I was looking at their site today and noticed that they have a 970/7075 PrePro/Amp combo for $1099, which is a lot more than I would have spent on a receiver (but I am really just getting into this). When I compare my other choices, I could get a 3806 Denon (or other mid/high range intergated receiver) for a little less. It seems that everyone on the boards would recommend running the seperate amp but I also see alot of receivers acting as pre/pro's.

So what's the better route? Get a receiver and then later on add the amp or does this Outlaw PrePro/Amp combo make more sense if I know I will add the amp later?

Unless I am missing something with the processing or internals of the other receivers, is it a waste to buy a receiver if my end plan was to add an amp?

Also, I've got a somewhat dumb question - if something says Pre/Pro does it include a tuner? It wasn't sure until today when I read about this combo from Outlaw that I realized this also included a tuner or does it? When I looked at these seperates before I thought I also needed to purchase a tuner which put the price out of my reach. At roughly $1,000 I am rethinking it again.

For speakers I am running Rti4's (four of them) and a Csi3. Is it over kill to consider seperates for these?

HBombToo · July 2006

Your asking all the right question and all I can do is share an opinion from my own experience.

I started out with an avr and the type is not whats important here. Fact is the more I listened the more I could tell I was not getting the most out of my speakers. I then purchased an Outlaw 770 and used my avr as prepro and there was a very noticable difference. I then proceded down the path of seperating my preamp and processor and it made another large difference.

I will say that seperates are the way to go but as you get there and feal as though your speakers are the weak link then you'll begin the speaker upgrade quest. Short of it is, pick your equipment wisely so you won't have a bunch of stuff sitting in the closet and you'll never be sorry. and, BTW the RTi4's are no slouch and I would never hesitate upgrading my equipent or at least starting off with the Outlaw seperates.

HBomb

cfrizz · July 2006

Welcome! You just answered your question right here with this statement.:D

Just do it & be done with it so that you won't regret it or continually wish that you had done it when you had the chance.

They are a very good company & make very good bang for the buck equipment. You would have to spend considerably more to get questionable better results. IMO.

boxxkar wrote:

So what's the better route? Get a receiver and then later on add the amp or does this Outlaw PrePro/Amp combo make more sense if I know I will add the amp later?

Hvrnaut · July 2006

I am reading so much about Outlaw audio here. Can anyone tell me where they came from? Are they their own independent company, etc.? I read that ATI produces their amps. True?

Just trying to get a little more information on them, as it seems they are carving their niche in the mid level audio world by offering good gear at the lowest prices. Comments?

lanion · July 2006

I have a 7125 and it is freaking awesome... they design the Amps, and ATI builds most of them for outlaw. There are a few exceptions, such as the monoblocks which were built in china for a while (and may still be). I have a 7125 (still available b stock!) and it shipped from ATI.

jdhdiggs · July 2006

ATI and Sherwood use the same production lines and design engineers. Outlaw provides the best value of the common lines as they are their own distributer network. There are some minor cosmetic and sonic tweaks done between the lines, but in the end, if the models look the same, they pretty much are (Sherwood and Outlaw)

Hvrnaut · July 2006

Thanks for the information guys. Sounds like great lineage!

Polkitup2 · July 2006

I have the Outlaw 1070 and love it.

danger boy · July 2006

i've been very happy with my Outlaw Audio 990 pre amp. I already had the amps from when I used my receiver as a pre. I think you'll be happy with the 970 combo you are looking at. If funds allow... you may want to "upgrade" to the 990 pre amp instead. it's a nice feature rich and great sounding pre amp.

Outlaw audio like Polk Audio has top notch customer service. They take any problems that arise with their equipment very serious.

YOu also get 30 days to demo the equipment in your own home. and if you don't like it.. they will refund you money. i think minus shipping though.

aaharvel · July 2006

boxxkar wrote:

For speakers I am running Rti4's (four of them) and a Csi3. Is it over kill to consider seperates for these?

hell no.

boxxkar · July 2006

Thanks again for all the great imput. I never considered going the seperate route, but with that special on the 970/7075 its hard to resist not to go for it.

wingnut4772 · July 2006

They are an excellent value for the money. I still have two mono blocks driving my rears but my first Outlaw experience was a 7100 amp. & channels at 100 watts per and the rest is history. You can't go wrong for the dough.