Outlaw 950 pre/pro

Kieran Coghlan · 03-31-2003, 01:20 PM

I've been considering the Outlaw 950/710 combo package.

One of the main things I'm interested in is the 950's ability to apply analog bass management to a DVD-A (or SACD although I don't have SACD) analog signal.

I was wondering if any owners out there could voice their oppinions/impressions of this feature.

Also, although this doesn't apply to my current speaker configuration, I was wondering WHY Outlaw chose to sum bass below 80Hz and send it to the sub, even when the analog bass management is set to OFF? It seems to me that if someone really had true full range speakers on all channels, and wanted no bass management for dvd-a/sacd, that this would be detrimental... you would get TOO much bass in this situation. Major bummer...

Any comments on that?

Also, there are lots of positive reviews to be found about the 950, but I was wondering if anyone out there could post some complaints they've had of the 950... what DON'T you like about it?

Oh, and before you give a general blanket response of "do a search this has been covered" I'm in the process of searching and thought that I'd post as well... as there are a lot of 950 hits to sort though.

Thanks!

Jed M · 03-31-2003, 03:57 PM

One thing I don't like about it is you can't discuss it at the HTF without the thread closing as I am sure you will discover through your search process. Another thing I don't like about it is you will hear a bunch of opinions from people who have never owned it, or heard at a "friends" house.

As far as the 950 itself goes, my number one complaint would be how it defaults to DPLII when using a dish, unless its in DD. I also really don't like how it looks, the material is fine, its built tough, its just a little too rugged looking. Speaker distance (or lack thereof)does not bother me since it is in a dedicated theater room.
And just to get under somebody's skin, I would say it easily competes with Pre/pro 3X-4X its price.

Kieran Coghlan · 03-31-2003, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Speaker distance (or lack thereof)does not bother

So, I take it this means that it has no adjustment for speaker delay (aka distance?) That kinda stinks... I think the delays I have set on my system (yamaha rx-v995) really help...

Kevin C Brown · 03-31-2003, 04:54 PM

If you use the 80 Hz analog crossover, the 5.1 analog input BM works as expected. As far as that summing even if that switch is dis-engaged, the Rotel 1066 does the same, AND IS A BUG. But at least on the 950, doesn't apply if you use the analog crossover, which in my opinion is still a key feature that no other pre/pro or receiver that I know of offers.

Distance settings? The 950 has them. Front L & R, front center, and surrounds + rears. It would be nice to split out the last 2, and it would be nice to have a distance setting to the sub, but that's not mandatory if there isn't a large difference in distance between you and your mains vs you and the sub.

Other complaints? I hate the remote, but I've gotten used to it. And the faceplate is asthetically challenged.

Ricky T · 03-31-2003, 05:01 PM

Get the Outlaw for sure. I heard one owner stated that he likes it better than $3-4k prepros, and would only trade for the Lexicon MC12

**HTF Ads**

Kieran Coghlan · 03-31-2003, 05:14 PM

Kevin C. Brown wrote:

Quote:

As far as that summing even if that switch is dis-engaged, the Rotel 1066 does the same, AND IS A BUG. But at least on the 950, doesn't apply if you use the analog crossover,

What do you mean that it doesn't apply if you use the analog crossover? It sounds to me, that if you don't use the crossover, it sums all bass below 80Hz, sends it to the sub, but also sends it to the speakers. Whereas, if you DO use the analog crossover switch, it still sums all bass below 80Hz and sends it to the sub, but does not send it to the speakers. Unless I'm mistaken in my understanding of it, I don't get what your saying.

Agreed that the existance of this feature is a huge benefit... one of the reasons I'm considering the 950. I feel like any other solution, and I'd have to buy an ICBM to go along with it.

Jed M · 03-31-2003, 05:15 PM

I wouldn't trade mine for anything, even if I had a disease that was going to kill me and I could trade my 950 for the cure.

Quote:

What do you mean that it doesn't apply if you use the analog crossover? It sounds to me, that if you don't use the crossover, it sums all bass below 80Hz, sends it to the sub, but also sends it to the speakers. Whereas, if you DO use the analog crossover switch, it still sums all bass below 80Hz and sends it to the sub, but does not send it to the speakers. Unless I'm mistaken in my understanding of it, I don't get what your saying.

Unless I am reading it wrong, you are correct.

Kieran Coghlan · 03-31-2003, 05:22 PM

From the 950 Owner's manual:

Quote:

Analog Bass Management

The Model 950 provides Analog Bass Management when 6 Channel Direct is selected. This function, which only applies to a source connected to the Multichannel inputs, is controlled via a small toggle switch on the rear panel of the Model 950 (see item 18 on page 9).

When the switch is in the Up position, the Analog Bass Management function is On, and the unit will provide an 80Hz crossover for the Left, Center, Right, Left Surround and Right Surround loudspeakers. Bass below 80Hz from all these channels will be sent into the subwoofer (.1) channel. If the switch is set in the Down position, no crossover filtering occurs, providing the full bandwidth signal, including all bass information, to the speakers. However, all information below 80Hz is still summed and sent to the subwoofer output.
Note: Since in the Off position bass information is not removed from the speakers outputs, it is recommended that, unless you are absolutely sure your loudspeakers can handle the low frequency information, or that this function is supplied within your DVD player, you leave this switch in the Up/On position.

Once you have connected a component to the Multichannel inputs and set the Analog Bass Management, you should never have to change it, unless you get different speakers or a player that includes its own bass management.

ChrisHeflen · 03-31-2003, 05:55 PM

You would find alot of info over at Outlaws website.
www.outlawaudio.com

...then go to the "hideout" then to the "saloon".

The people that post are very nice and the guy who goes by "Gonk" is kinda the main man who knows his "shtuff".

Kieran Coghlan · 03-31-2003, 05:59 PM

I just felt like I might find less biased oppinions here...

Nick V · 03-31-2003, 07:10 PM

I can't believe this. Is there a single cheap pre-pro that can work as a complete analog pass-through?? I don't want all the bass to sum to the sub. What the hell is going on in these engineers' minds to do this on purpose?? The analog BM is a great option although I understand the bass is out of phase, but why can't you have a straight pass-through when the BM is disengaged??

I am not interested in the Outlaw (too ugly) but I am interested in the Sherbourn. I assume everything is exactly the same in the Sherbourn.

Anyone know if the Adcom and ATI pre-pros can pass DVD-A and SACD signals unaltered??

Nick V (extremely frustrated)