I went last saturday to my sound provider (Sound components in Miami), and made a comparison between my Outlaw 1050 and a marantz 7200 receiver, using a Marantz DVD player as a source for stereo music, using Paradigm Mini Monitor speakers (the ones I have at home). After listening to several pieces (matching power levels and everything else), we (my wife and I) had to come to the sad conclusion that the Marantz sounds better! More musical, better imaging, more richness in the sound, less bright, more depth, more power ... I guess I'll be making use of my 30 days money back option today ... What do you guys think could have happened?

So you took the 1050 with you to the dealer and listened to both receivers running the same system?

exactly that's what I did ...and the result made me a little bit sad ... I really like this company ... but my ears like the marantz better

Well in that case you should definitely purchase the Marantz. I do not think anything happened. Although it is possible the 1050 was broken, it seems more likely that you and your wife prefer the sound of the Marantz. Enjoy.

Certainly it's not broken! I have had it for a month and really liked it ... until I heard the Marantz

I think morphsci probably hit it -- you and your wife prefer the Marantz's sound. Not unheard of in this hobby. It's all about what makes you happy.

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Gonk

Why I love Outlaw in a jillion words or less.

You guys don’t bash people for different grade/age/quality/price/experience, system choices. Only friendly banter, helpful advice, and best wishes to all. (except for that L word place). I’m so proud.

I’ve heard Marantz termed ‘warmer’, which I often pefer, but when I went to pick up my speaker purchase at a boutique B&M, with the 30K pair of speakers in the front room, he pushed me hard on a Marantz purchase, and took me into demo. I didn’t like it, I liked my old JVC PL better. As I was already determined to wait on an Outlaw demo, and had heard Marantz many times, I didn’t pay attention to speaker/AV model. (I can only assume in a demo room…latest versions) He also dug my heels in from get go with his "sale eez” tactics. He KNEW Outlaw and lied about warranty length etc, one second praising speakers choices using a rag’s recommendation. Two seconds later bashing Outlaw for only being in the rags, and how can you take that recommendation. Funny thing was, the same mag. he was touting the speakers reviewed in, was the same that raved about Outlaw, (and he knew it). Went on to condescendly, tell me Marantz was THE name in audio, (what,- I’ve never heard of Tag, Lexicon, others). The little lady tactics really offended me; the sales man was nice but quite funny. I don’t know much, - but more than he credited.
My sister had installed (by the builder) a new Marantz , B&W setup, in a new playroom over a new 4 car garage, and is very happy, but it didn’t ‘do it’ for my ears, and we’re in the same gene pool!
Isn’t choice grand…

Yikes! That is not what I want to hear! I am waiting for my 1050; it is in transit. I was debating between the Marantz 6200 and the Outlaw (about the same price). I decided upon the Outlaw. I read some horror stories about the Marantz, it seemed almost 50/50 for/against; while the Outlaw had much more positive reviews. I too am concerned about the power, I have speakers that are supposedly 90db efficient. According to my calculations the 65 Watts should drive them to a possible 107 0r 109 db, which is more than enough (I prefer about 80-90db listening). The crazy thing is that to achieve another 3db you need 130 Watts (double the power for every 3 db); unless my understanding is wrong.
Oh well, awaiting with great anticipation! Been tracking my order through UPS. It seems to be taking forever! Hope it makes it by friday for my 50th birthday.

MCH, I think you'll be happy with your purchase. If not, there's always the 30 day money back. But you'll find most of us around here are quite pleased with our 1050's. Let us know how ya like it once you get all settled in. Welcome to the family!

Simple MCH, when you're Outlaw arrives run it for a few days to burn it in and then find a Marantz 6200 or 7200 to compare it to. Let you're happiness guide you.
There are no salesmen here to twist you're arm.

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"Art is not a mirror, but a hammer."

MCH, my message is NOT one to discredit Outlaw audio by any means; on the contrary, I have been enjoying my Outlaw 1050 for a month, and I am very comfortable with its performance; I also, as other people on the forum, work for a dot.com company and deeply believe that the business model Outlaw is creating is changing the world.

That said, I tend to agree with morphsci in that it's just a personal preference; also, have in mind that the power on the 7200 is higher than in the 6200; heck, it's $200 more! (40%), so I wouldn't say it's even on the same league; I just happen to have become (as most of people on this forum) very aware of subtle differences in sound and video performance, and right now I can not afford the 950 / 770 combo, but I can spend $300 more to get a little more power, flexibility and audio formats.

When I can afford to change my coming Marantz for a higher end, I'll go to Outlaw's 950 /770 package. Right now, I am in the middle between the 1050 and the 950/770 combo.

The spirit of my message is that of a person who feels very comfortable with the people here, I intend to be an Outlaw for a long time, and I was just sharing my thougths about a machine in a place where Outlaw has no current offering.

Ok... So maybe the Marantz might have a warmer richer sound... NO reciever can be right to 100% of the population other wise we would all be buying bose or somthing like that. That is why we call them "REVIEWS" you can take a reciever and give it to two audio pro's and they will review it diffrently. Then take the same units and repackage them up as diffrent units but the same guts. And they will review them diffrently ... WHY? Becuase ear was wassn't cleaned out? Maybe had water in thier ears that day? Maybe they were sick? Bad Mood? Who knows? Who cares...

All, I know is... Outlaw is a decent company. A small company that takes pride in what they build. I would think that when Nreyes get's his marantz he most likly won't even get one that comes to the same specs as what he listend to in the store... Since marantz is a larger company.. Like Sony, Onkyo, Etc...Etc... Quality control is often over looked. With a small company like outlaw I believe the control would be much tighter... IMO anyway...

The bottem line for me to go with outlaw would be Customer Service. You get screwed with any reciever manufacture 6 months after you puchase it and you'r gonna have to find a repair place. Or worse yet pack it up and send it off somplace... Where as outlaws will just send you a new one... That right there is worth it's wight in gold! Just knowing that you are coverd for the next 2 years ... And not left hanging with a 1800 # and sloppy service. This to me is worth the price of 499 alone.

Good luck with your Marantz as I have also considerd them and almust bought one too. But after my experience with Onkyo... Forget it. Customer Service is almost the top 3rd choice on my list.

I've had my Outlaw now for about 3 days. It replaced a JVC 8000. The sound is very good, clear and natural. I have a set of very good Ed Frias diy speakers. The quality of the speakers goes a long ways in the quality of the final sound output. Of course the quality of the amp helps by producing a good undistorted sound signal. All in all I believe the system has to be matched in quality for the optimal sound. But largely the speakers will have the greatest impact. Plus we all hear differently.

As a 7200 owner, I can vouch for the wonderful sound of the Marantz. Even so, I sometimes wonder if I should have gotten the Outlaw.

- $200 saving
- No laborious on screen menu
- Fantastic bass management vs 100hz fixed
- Great Customer Service
- No excessive pauses when changing tracks...

Ironically, I just purchased an Adcom 545 so I can use an ICBM to better manage my bass.

So ultimately, I will have paid about $600 more (approx. $200 premium for Marantz, $200 Amp, $200 ICBM) for Prologic II and the Marantz sound. However..., with external amp powering mains, I will not experience the Marantz sound.

Hey, no ones system is every finished - it's always evolving. My system suits me. Even though I don't own the 1050, I'm thoroughly impressed with Outlaw and would recommend their products to my closest friends. In fact, I'm planning on purchasing the ICBM when the 1.2m PCA's are available.

I was also planning on the 750 in about 6-12 months, but with recent changes I'll just have to save a little longer to get the 770.

Best wishes to the Outlaws!

Well, I owned a 1050 for the 30 day limit and was thrilled with the product in every way except for the poor S-video switching. My display would flicker bad every time a scene changed from dark to light or vice versa (like a dark thunderstorm). Outlaw said it was because my 1050 was unable to handle the beyond spec signal coming from my DVD player. So, the 1050 cost me $40 in return shipping.

I too liked the "Marantz sound" and bought a 6200 to replace my 1050. Well, sadly the 6200 is just as nice but also cannot handle the s-video input from my DVD plaver (PS2). I am without any stereo currently as my new Marantz has been pulled out and shipped for warranty repair. 2 weeks and counting. If it is not perfect whenever I get it back I'm going to explode.

I hear the 950 has a lot higher bandwith for s-video signals. I just wish I didn't have to pay $1500-2,000 to get a decent switching HT reciever or keep buying DVD players until I find one that has a weaker s-video signal. AAARRRGGGG!!

In regards to S-Video switching; I have found all the recievers I've owned (mid price) had switching problems. I think the only cure (at a modest price to date) is having a TV with multiple S-Video/ Component Video inputs. My Toshiba has 3 inputs (2 S-Video/1 Component Video). So if you are in the market for a newer tv look for multiple inputs and hookup directly from source to tv.
I've had my Outlaw now for about 3 weeks and am loving the sound and quality. In stereo it is top notch and the DTS movies have great surround realism. Haven't tried the 6.1 Dolby Digital yet. For the price it can't be beat.

I have a great sounding traditional 2-channel stereo setup. When my buddy comes over and listens to it he turns up the treble,because it sounds better to him. So,what sounds good TO YOU,is what really matters. Good Luck!---Pete