Rotel 1066 vs. Sherbourn 7000

Nick V · 03-26-2003, 06:46 PM

Ok, I talked to the GF, and we (she) decided that I shouldn't (can't) spend more than $2.5-3K CDN on a pre-pro, and I decided that I'm gonna go with a new unit (not used). The Rotel and the Sherbourn are the only two that fit into my budjet, so I'm going to get one of them.

I've listened to both of the units quite extensively, and have decided that both would be worthy of contolling my home theater. I'm not tremendously interested in subjective "sound characteristic" opinions, but I would love to see some objective information on these two units.

If anyone has this info, it would be greatly appreciated because if one of them has significantly better #'s than the other, I won't have such a hard time making up my mind.

BTW, I know about all of the problems/bugs of both of the units, and have unfortunately conceeded that they are acceptable at this price range.

Dave Moritz · 03-27-2003, 02:05 AM

Have you heard about or listened to the new Adcom GTP-860 pre pro? If not you may want to give it a listen.

Adcom’s proprietary 7.1m2 algorithm, Pure class a bifet analog circuitry, Dolby prologic ii decoding, Component video switching, Built-in rds am/fm tuner, Multi-zone source specific outputs, Head phone input with front panel a/v connections, Full set of direct access ir control functionality for custom installation.

http://www.adcom.com/newproducts/gtp860.htm

I beleive you can get it for around $1500 and on this site there is a link where you can get a deal on it. I was at the CES show in Las Vegas and I was impressed with the new Adcom gear. Adcom is making a fresh commitment to making good gear. They are also shipping there gear in wood crates instead of cardboard boxes, kinda cool.

If not I would go for the Rotel, almost forgot have you considered the Sunfire Grand Theater 3 pre pro? That is another great peice.

dpippel · 03-27-2003, 06:26 AM

Be aware that the Sherbourn is just a rebadged Outlaw 950 with a few minor modifications. The Outlaw is only $899.

Charles Gurganus · 03-27-2003, 06:52 AM

I've been told the Sherbourn has more than "a few minor modifications". The dealer told me about 50% of the internals were different/upgraded. You can get the Sherbourn discounted as well if you look around.

Philip Hamm · 03-27-2003, 07:28 AM

Quote:

I've been told the Sherbourn has more than "a few minor modifications". The dealer told me about 50% of the internals were different/upgraded. You can get the Sherbourn discounted as well if you look around.

I think your dealer is stretching the truth. DO some reading about the clones at the forums on www.outlawaudio.com before believing your dealer. Also, there's a good article about the clones at SMR I think (there's a link from one of the Outlaw forum threads).

**HTF Ads**

Nick V · 03-27-2003, 11:58 AM

My dealer told me that the capacitors are upgraded, the op amps are upgraded, and one other thing that I can't remember (maybe video board?).

The thing is, I HATE the look of the Outlaw, but the Sherbourn is improved enough that I wouldn't mind having it in my rack. With the exchange rate + shipping costs, the Outlaw would only be a few hundred less than the Sherbourn, and my Sherbourn dealer has an upgrade plan if I should decide that I want an Anthem AVM-20 or Bryston SP-1.7 down the road. I'm hoping I can sneak an upgrade in without the GF finding out (does that make me a bad person?) lol!!

Charles Gurganus · 03-27-2003, 12:17 PM

Nick, that sounds about what my dealer told me about the Sherbourn. I think you are right about improved video board as well.

Phillip I really don't have a horse in this race but I did read some of the propaganda over on the Outlaw board. I liken Outlaw as the point man for the 950. They sure took all the heat and AT and Sherbourn took their design (I am sure they paid for it) and tweaked it somewhat. To what degree I think would take someone (preferably someone neutral) with both boxes and open them up. My dealer said he did that. He had no reason to mislead me as I was not interested in buying either. I DID ask him how the Sherbourn compared to the Sony TA-E9000es (which I have and he also sells) and he said they were pretty close except of course for the newer technology. That doesn't sound like a guy trying to stretch anything.

Greg Conti · 03-27-2003, 01:56 PM

Quote:

The thing is, I HATE the look of the Outlaw, but the Sherbourn is improved enough that I wouldn't mind having it in my rack. With the exchange rate + shipping costs, the Outlaw would only be a few hundred less than the Sherbourn, and my Sherbourn dealer has an upgrade plan if I should decide that I want an Anthem AVM-20 or Bryston SP-1.7 down the road.

The Sherbourn sounds like the better option to me. I would be willing to spend a extra few hundred dollars just for the better looking faceplate. The fact that you can get local dealer support, an upgrade plan, and some better internals is icing. Sorry but the Outlaw is U G L Y !!!

Philip Hamm · 03-27-2003, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Phillip I really don't have a horse in this race but I did read some of the propaganda over on the Outlaw board. I liken Outlaw as the point man for the 950. They sure took all the heat and AT and Sherbourn took their design (I am sure they paid for it) and tweaked it somewhat. To what degree I think would take someone (preferably someone neutral) with both boxes and open them up. My dealer said he did that. He had no reason to mislead me as I was not interested in buying either.

What exactly makes the postings over there "propaganda"? They're just postings by owners and people interested in the products. I guess good customer support is "propaganda" now.

If you believe that Sherbourne and AT "tweaked" the original Eastech/Outlaw design to the tune of $400 that's fine, there's plenty of information both in support and to the contrary out there to be had with a simple search. You may want to start with this article right here. It could be that the other units are worth the premium, but I seriously doubt it. The cosmetics are definitely prettier, if that's important, then it may be worth spending the extra money for some people. And local dealer may be important for some people, too. That's a nice thing to have.

BrentPollard · 03-27-2003, 03:41 PM

Nick V: What is the total price on the Sherbourne? I ask because I got my 1066 for $1899.00CDN.