Outlaw Audio Model 7700

TennesseeOutlaw

Ok, this is what I want to do. This is a 7 channel amp, and I want to bi-amp my front speakers. Can I use the "back surround" channels (6,7) and dedicate them to main L/R? I only want a 5 channel set-up so the extra 2 channels are not needed for that purpose. I emailed Outlaw Audio and asked them this exact question, but didnt get the answer I was looking for. I also asked them if I could get the 7500 (5 channel) and get 2 of the mono-blocks for the bi-amping. They did not recommend using that set-up due to reasons and explanations that I did not even understand. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Josh

shack

Did Outlaw not answer your question regarding biamping with the 7700 or did you not like the answer they gave? I would trust them to know their gear.

McLoki

It sounds like your heart is set on bi-amping. I would try and at least test it out (if possible) prior to spending the money on additional amps (or channels) to do it with.

I would just get the 7500 (200wpc @ 8 ohms X 5 - current b-stock price $1,479) and if you decide it is just not giving you the sound you like, get a killer 2 channel amp to run your 15's from.

Your money and your ears, so only you can tell if the sound of bi-amping is worth it or not, but personally, I do not think it is worth the extra $600 for additional amplifiers. Maybe you will think it is worth it, but you could test it out with 4 channels of the 7500 prior to purchasing the additional amps (or channels).

Michael

BTW - I don't know if they were both sold or not, but you should also check out this thread to save a few bucks. (I think outlaw amps are made by ATI)

TennesseeOutlaw

Hello Fellow Audiophile,

I do not recommend using different amplifier models for bi-amp purposes as they
will almost always have (including in the case of the 7500 and the 2200)
different input impedance and or gain structures. Therefore, maintaining a
properly balanced speaker is impossible.

As a monoblock, the Model 2200 should be considered a tad more flexible as
additional matching units could be added to expand to 6.1 or 7.1 setups. In
addition, since they are not a fully differential design they can be used in
conjunction with in-line speaker selector boxes and volume controls.

That said, it is the differential design that allows the 7700 to outperform the
Model 2200. As a fully balanced amplifier, it is capable of a rise time nearly
twice as fast as conventional amplifiers. This provides a better signal to
noise ratio, a lower noise floor, and more dynamic playback capability.

Thanks and regards,

Scott

This is what the guy told me. If you can further explain this Id appreciate it.

TennesseeOutlaw

I dont believe he ever answered my ?? about using the 6,7 channel to bi-amp with. I did ask 3 or 4 ??'s though, so maybe that's what I get for asking too many ??'s....

McLoki

all amplifiers amplify the input signal (signal from your pre-amp) by (perhaps only slightly) different amounts. Since both amps would have the same signal level going in but amplify them differently - the volume out of your bass and tweeter would not be matched as it should be. (could be corrected if the amp had a variable gain contol (volume control) for each channel, but the outlaws (and many other amps) do not have this).

He also said that the 7700 is considered a better (but perhaps less flexable) amp than the monoblocks. This could be because of the a/b = G design of the monoblocks, but I am not sure on that.

Based on what he said - bi-amping with the 7700 like you intended would work fine. (since the different channels on the same amp would amplify the signal by the same amount). You would also have the benefit of a better overall amplifier design than running 7 monoblocks (and only 1 cord to mess with).

Michael

TennesseeOutlaw

Would I have to get a Y-adapter of some sort to make sure that I got the correct signal going to them? How would I do that exactly? Which connection between the pre/pro and the amp does everyone suggest?

pblanc

I biamped my mains with 2 channels of an Outlaw 7125 with no problems. I have also used a pair of Outlaw 2200 monoblocks in addition to two channels of a 7125 to biamp the front speakers with no problem my ears could detect. The 7 amplifier stages are all equivalent so you can use any of them for this purpose. You can get RCA splitters at Radio Shack. Be careful which kind you get. You will probably want 1 female (in) to 2 male (out). They also come the other way (1 male to 2 female). The 2 limbs of the splitter may not be long enough to use amplifier channels unless their inputs are directly next to each other on the back panel, but that is no problem.