I'm sure it'll appear off the main page eventually, but for now ... looking at the email headers, this came thru last night. kind of suprised to see no discussion anywhere? Going to have to take a look at the guesses about the RR2150 and come up with one of my own ...

pat----

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Outlaw Audio Update Newsletter
Mid-Spring 2003

Dear Fellow Outlaw:

Winter is finally gone, and the spring rains are past, and the flowers are starting to bloom. Things are also starting to bloom around the Outlaw’s Hideout, and since it’s been a while since our last Update Newsletter, this seems like a good time to bring you up to date on all things Outlaw.

OUTLAWS COME OUT OF HIDING!

That’s right! Although we tend to spend most of our time in the Hideout or around the Outlaw Chuck wagon, we know that we should take our own advice that everyone take a break from the home theater once in a while to breathe some fresh air. Fresh air is in abundance at our destination, San Francisco, where the Outlaws will once again be out in force for the annual Home Entertainment Show at the Westin-St. Francis Hotel from June 5th through June 8th.

We’ll have a complete Outlaw system with the Model 950 and our amplifiers in operation for those who have never heard how good home theater and music can REALLY sound. In addition, the Outlaws will be there in force to answer your questions about our products. Living in the world of Internet marketing, this is a rare opportunity to meet our customers face-to-face!

Those who have visited us at “The Show” in the past know that there are also likely to be some surprises. These may include a sneak preview of a future Outlaw product, a “show special” or two, and maybe even the chance to stump Peter with a question in exchange for a special commemorative collector’s edition Outlaw “tschatska”. Anyone who visited us last year knows what we are talking about, you’ll have to show up to see what Peter will dispense this time around!

Speaking of give-aways, we have a VERY LIMITED number of discount tickets for the Show. If you plan to attend and would like to save some money on the admission (thereby giving you more money to spend on something new from Outlaw!), send an e-mail to showtix@outlawaudio.com with your name and address. To make this fair for all, please understand that there is a limit of two discount tickets per mailing address.

We always enjoy this opportunity to meet with fellow Outlaws, and we encourage you to visit us during the Show. Consult the directory when you get there for our room location.

NEW PRODUCT NEWS

It’s no secret that we are working on a number of new products for release this year, but, it is too early to go into the specifics. However, as hinted above, we will have a sneak preview of one work-in-progress during the Home Entertainment Show, although it is not scheduled for release until mid to late fall. Depending on how things go, there may be some other surprises at the Show, and we’ll let you know when we get closer to having something concrete to talk about.

In true Outlaw fashion, we do want to have a bit of fun with a product that will be previewed. Some of you have noted a Room in the Outlaw Saloon for the “RR 2150”, and we know that you are wondering what that is. We confess to having posted the RR 2150 room a bit early, but to keep the speculation going we’ve decided to turn that into a contest. {Note that the original thread has been preserved as is, locked, and moved to the Contest area of the Saloon, Feel free to continue your general discussion of the RR 2150 in its own Room, but remember that guesses for the contest must go in the proper thread in the Contest area.}

Two Model RR 2150s will be awarded: one for the first guess posted that comes closest to an accurate description of what it will be. Try your best to not only describe the product, but to decode the information in the model designation. Another RR 2150 will go to the entry that, in our sole opinion, is the most humorous description of what it might be, but isn’t. Everyone is allowed one entry in each category.

To get you started, we’ll seed things with some hints. The first is to say that the RR 2150 is the first of its kind for the Outlaws, but it may be the last of its kind for anyone and everyone else. In other words, this product is in a category where we currently do NOT offer a product, and when we’re done it may well be that no one else will offer one again. As a further hint, for those of you who are die hard film buffs is a reference to one of the Outlaw’s favorite obscure films. The general philosophy of this product was loosely inspired by the movie The Final Countdown, with Kirk Douglas.

{A side note to anyone who has already joined in on the discussion in the current RR 2150 thread: In fairness to those who have already made a guess as to what the RR 2150 is, all comments from the initial thread will be included in the contest, but since the participants in that thread did not have the benefit of the hints disclosed above, they will be allowed another chance to enter their guess.}

As always, one entry, with one guess in each category, per e-mail address. The winners will be selected at the sole discretion of Outlaw Audio, LLC. Anyone without access to e-mail may send an entry to us via the Postal Service as long as it reaches our offices before the contest closes at Midnight on June 4, 2003. (We will unveil the RR 2150 on June 5th at the Home Entertainment Show.) Employees of Outlaw Audio and its suppliers, as well as their direct family members are not eligible. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law, your mileage may vary, do not use while standing in a pool of water, change your socks before you leave home, look both ways before crossing the street, etc., etc.

CURRENT PRODUCT NEWS

All current Outlaw products are in-stock and available for immediate shipment. In addition, we have “B Stock” products available from time to time, subject to stock on hand. We are pleased to announce that the “Seven Stack” of 0.5 meter PCA interconnects is back in stock at the $99 price when purchased with any Outlaw electronics product.

New this month is the availability of “B Stock” Model 950 Processor/Preamplifiers. To make it easier for those who are looking to move up from receivers to separates, we are making the B Stock Model 950s available ONLY with the purchase of a new Outlaw power amplifier and only at the following url: https://www.outlawaudio.com/bstock.html.

What this means in real dollars an additional discount of $200 over the already heavily discounted package price of the same package with new products. We know that there are many potential Outlaws who find that the price of new products is simply beyond their budget, and we are offering this incredible value to help bring more of you into the world of separate components. We believe that these packages represent a tremendous value by providing a clear alternative to the higher end receivers.

Pricing for the combination packages are as follows and can be found at the following link: https://www.outlawaudio.com/bstock.html

 B-Stock Model 950 and a New Model 7100: $1498.00

 B-Stock Model 950 and a New Model 755: $1898.00

 B-Stock Model 950 and a New Model 770: $2298.00

Please note that due to the deep discount pricing for these packages, “family” pricing or other discounts do not apply, with the exception of the “Seven Stack” or 0.5 meter PCA cables that may be added at time of purchase. These packages are also subject to availability and supplies may be limited. Accordingly, we will do our best to ship on receipt of order, but we cannot guarantee immediate availability.

Caveat department: Please note that due to the nature of the discount package promotion the following rules apply should you wish to return one of the two products during our 30-day in-home audition period. As always, you will be responsible for the cost of the return freight for the item being sent back. In addition, if you return the Model 950 and keep the amplifier, you will be billed for the full price of the amplifier, less any applicable family discount. Should you decide to return the amplifier and keep the Model 950, you will be billed $839 for the Model 950, in addition to the cost of the return freight.

As a final note, since we know you’ll ask, the Model 950s available in this promotion have been updated with all of the latest, current version hardware and software modifications, and have been thoroughly cleaned and checked. However, as is the nature of any B-Stock or “refurb” product, they may have some slight appearance blemishes, as these products may have been opened and used by a consumer prior to their return. With that caveat, our experience is that these imperfections are very minor, and many consumers do not notice them.

Moving to other Current Products News, reviews continue to provide unbiased testimony to the quality and value of Outlaw products, and we are pleased that a number of strong reviews will be appearing in both print publications and in the on-line “ ‘zines “ and forums. For example, check out a review of the Model 200 by Secrets of Home Theater’s John Johnson at http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_2/outlaw-audio-200-amplifier-4-2003.html. There will also be some very positive print reviews of the Model 950 appearing in the next month or so.

HOUSEKEEPING AND EVERYTHING ELSE NEWS

Comings and Goings Dept: Those who have been part of the Outlaw family for a while may have noted that Jamen Towle’s name hasn’t appeared on any Customer Service messages for a while. When our offices moved to Massachusetts a while back, Jamen decided to remain in New Hampshire rather than move. As one of the first Outlaws, she put a friendly and knowledgeable voice on our order department, and we wish her well with her future endeavors.

Joining our staff last month is the latest Outlaw, Melissa Flattery. Melissa has an extensive business and customer service background, and as you all get to know her you will find that she has just the right sense of the world to be a perfect Outlaw. Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Outlaw team.

Saloon Department: We hate to nag, but some of the threads and postings in the Saloon have been getting VERY close to out of hand during the past month. Just so that there is no confusion, we would like to once again remind everyone that the Outlaws are strong free-speech proponents, but we cannot and WILL NOT tolerate name calling or product bashing. Also, while we encourage free and open discussion of all things home theater and audio, we reserve the right to edit or delete posts that contain the following:

 Solicitation for sale of, or links to sites that sell, competitive products. Discussion? Yes. Debate on the merits of products? That’s what the Saloon is there for, even when we sometimes end up on the short side of the stick. Obvious promotion of competitive models? Sorry, no!
 The posting of links to files for download of copyrighted material without the consent of the copyright owner. Sorry, though we may be Outlaws, the law is the law!
 The suggestion of illegal activities or behavior. Same thought as above.
 Language or content that violates a reasonable standard of decency. Hey, we like to have fun as much as the next Outlaw, but remember, someone’s children may be reading what you post!

Hopefully, we will be able to maintain our record of rarely having to edit or delete a post, but by reminding you of these few rules we do state that it’s our football, and this is one of those areas where you have to play the game according to the rules. OUR rules.

The Editorial Outlaw

The Editorial Outlaw is back for a few brief comments as op-ed responses to your postings in the Saloon. It is Outlaw’s general policy not to inject our own comments into the discussions in both our own Saloon and the other on-line forums, as that tends to turn the thread into a sales pitch or takes the focus away from the point at hand. We are opposed to seeing threads hijacked, as we feel that it is important to let them take their own course. Instead, we are always available to answer direct questions sent to us by e-mail, and when there are items of general interest we’ll address them here, in our own space through the Editorial Outlaw’s voice.

For example, we’ve noted an increase in reviews or comments about products – not just ours – that are made by people who do not own, or have not been able to critically listen to the product at hand. Doesn’t that strike you as a bit odd? The best example is a recent post in an on-line review site where someone states that they don’t yet own an Outlaw product, yet they provide a rating for it. Is the reviewer a psychic? Once you hear the product in your own home, with your own speakers and with your own favorite demo material we’ll take our kudos, or lumps of coal as the reviewer feels we deserve. BUT: please, at least give the products a chance before you review them! (Kreskin, Uri Geller and John Edwards are allowed an exception to this rule.) Caveat Emptor to those who read this type of review or participate in threads where the actual hands-on time with the product in question is in doubt!

We’d also like to briefly respond to the seemingly never-ending comments about the appearance of Outlaw products. We acknowledge that the appearance of a product is something that everyone views through a different lens. No matter what at product looks like there will always be those who will like it, those who will learn to like it and those who don’t really care for it but recognize the sonic performance and value pricing attached to the product. Yes, since beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, there may be one or two souls out there who simply can’t stand the look of the products.

Closer to the point at hand, it should be stated that the appearance of all Outlaw products is not something that was arrived at by chance. They are designed to meet a specific set of physical, economic, electronic and marketing parameters. Yes, outward appearance is an important factor in a product’s overall appeal, but when you get right down to it, sound and value have greater weight in the planning process.

That having been said, we do take all of the comments made about the appearance of our products to heart. Those who have followed our model line-up carefully have noted that the logo was modified somewhat during the past few months, and while we have kept some of our signature design elements, there have been other subtle changes to the look of new amplifiers.

Rather than prolong the discussion, it may be easier to re-state that we listen closely to all comments on this subject, and we invite everyone to see the first evidence of some new and exciting design directions for Outlaw when we preview the RR 2150.

To close out this newsletter, the Editorial Outlaw has an interesting recommendation for those who need a break from the home theater in the form of an interesting novel from TV Critic Tom Carson. In keeping with our theme of books related to the audio/video world, “Gilligan’s Wake” (Picador Press, ISBN 031229123X) is both fascinating and downright weird at the same time. Taken out of context, it details the lives of fictional characters whose experiences are interwoven throughout the twentieth century’s twists and turns. Digging deeper, however, you begin to see a thread of throw-offs to names, places and events that have become memorialized in popular culture through TV, mixed in with genuine history.

The hint from the book’s title is that what Carson may have created is the “back-story” of each of the characters on that fateful three hour cruise – except for the one who is in the title of both the show and the book. “Gil” is present in an anagram form in each of the other character’s stories, but never makes an actual in-person appearance.

“Gilligan’s Wake” is clever, puzzling, odd, somewhat rude at times, fascinating, and inventive. Even when it goes off in a peculiar direction, you want to keep going to find out how all of the characters relate to one another, and to understand Carson’s view of the world. Worth a read for that long plane ride out to the Show in San Francisco!

That’s it for now. We’ll be back to you in late May or early June with further updates about our appearance at the Home Entertainment Show, and maybe even some other surprises. Book your reservations now, while cheap fares are still available. We look forward to seeing our fellow Outlaws in June, when we return to San Francisco to look for our hearts!

Regards,

The Outlaws

The contents of this Update Newsletter are Copyright © 2003 by Outlaw Audio, LLC. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, Internet posting or other reproduction by physical or electronic means is prohibited. Outlaw Audio and the Outlaw Audio logo trademarks of Outlaw Audio, LLC. Prices, product descriptions and specifications contained herein are subject to change without notice or liability to upgrade existing products.