Hello all...I'm new to all of this and putting my system together...Hopefully I got the right forum.

I am looking at the two setups above...My speakers will be KEF Q series and my room is small to medium size. My sub will be LMF2.

TIA

The outlaw combo will probably be better in every way, especially if you want to upgrade the 970 in a few years for newer processing technologies. However, the 640R can probobly found a good deal cheaper, so it is up to you.

I'm always biased toward direct-online brands like Outlaw, since the value is better and the customer service is unmatched.

Thanks Lanion...I appreciate the input. I've read nothing but good reviews about the Azur product. Especially how it sounds good in for both Home Theater and Music listening. But lacks a few fine tuning features like the 970 does.

Upgradability sure is nice to keep current with latest processes.

Has anyone here heard the new Azur?

Well, you are on the Outlaw forum, so keep that in mind. You could always try both out and return the Outlaw if you don't like it, however that would cost you some shipping fees - I don't know if your local Cambridge Audio dealer has any return policy.

Looking at the KEF Q series it says the impedence drops to a minimum of 3.2ohms, which is quite low. the Outlaw amp should handle that just find, but I noticed that the Cambridge Audio site does not list a 4ohm power rating for their reciever, which is troubling since they DO list a 4ohm power rating for their intergrated amps. This makes me suspicious about the 640Rs ability to power well at 3.2 ohms.

However, if the 3.2 ohms occurs below 80hz, and you have your LFM-2 covering everything below 80hz, then this is a non-issue and the Cambridge Audio unit should be fine. Try asking KEF at what frequency the minimum impedence occurs at, or try asking Cambridge Audio how they handle 4 ohm loads .

From personal experience, I ussed a HK DPR 1001 which did 50watts per channel into 8 ohms and 50 watts per channel into 4 ohms to power my Polk LSi speakers. It did *not* do justice to my Polk LSi speakers which are rated at 4 ohms and dip down to 2 ohms. I upgraded to the 7125 and the improvement was very dramatic.

Thanks lanion...I know there will be a little biased info...I used to frequent a car site that loved their cars only...but not to a fault. I think I will get some unbiased info here with some coloring...but I'm okay with that...cause I'm apart of the Outlaw family too (LFM2).

I've posed your question to a very knowledgeable rep who has sold the CA product for a while now...so I'll let him respond.

How do you think my setup will sound? (given that the Azur powers at 4 ohm loads).

Hey Lannion:

I'm not too technically savy with all of the ohm loads and such...but I found the test bench test from Sound and Vision...good read:

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receive...v-receiver.html

So the Azur : Output at clipping (1 kHz, 8/4 ohms, both channels driven): 145/197 watts (21.6/22.9 dBW) -- it looks like it does fine with a 4ohm load, so it should be fine with your speakers.

Here is the same page for the 7075 amp : 'http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/amplifiers/1680/test-bench-for-the-web-outlaw-audio-model-970-preamplifierprocessor-and-model-7075-power-amplifier.html'

They are both good products, so just go with your gut / wallet / aesthetics and I'm sure you will be happy.

Thanks lanion...I appreciate the input...I'm pretty close to making my decision.