This is a long one. I've researched recievers and speakers for months. I finally bought six (6) AAD E-30 satellite speakers and an E-8 sub. A good thing, so I'm covered there (fairly new company, but you'll be hearing good things about them, I'm sure). Anyway, I've narrowed the receiver search down to the Marantz SR5200 and the Outlaw 1050. I've been on the internet so much, there is no more info for me to read - truly! I've talked to Marantz and Outlaw. I love the simplicity of the Outlaw (I've read both SR5200 and 1050 manuals). The Marantz will be good, possibly a bit conservative, but it has all the features (too many?). And I think the sound and the power of the 1050 will be great. My only fears about purchasing the 1050 are: that Prologic will disappoint for VHS and TV/DirecTV (I'm holding off on purchasing a DVD player for a while), and with all other technologies out now, will I be buying a receiver that will be obsolete soon (I think The Outlaws have something new in the works now)(?). Maybe I'm just paranoid about Prologic vs PLII. It's sure to sound better than my stereo system that I have hooked up now. And I believe that, other than not being able to play DTS-ES in 6.1 mode, the 1050 will handle everything else. Whew! Well Outlaws, can you help me. I trust your experience and judgement. Help - be candid. Thank you - Mayor D.

I think you're spending a lot of time on trivialities. Why should we have to make up your mind. Obviously, the people who congregate here are primarily Outlaw users, so from the start, your position is insulting.
Look, buying stereo equipment is almost totally subjective. For every advantage of a given system, you can find several disadvantages, no matter how much money you spend. Further, as soon as you buy something electronic, (computers, stereos, etc), it is obsolete.
So hey, buy a Marantz or buy an Outlaw or maybe somthing else, but make up your own mind. If you choose Outlaw, come here for your usage issues. If you go another place, hope they have a great board like this. Only thing, don't discuss another manufacturer's stuff there okay? Use some discretion.

Actually, it's fairly common to ask about other brands here, and Mayor D's questions are valid. I don't see anything trivial here -- just someone wary of spending his money without being sure of what he's getting. Since Outlaw is a direct sales operation, it's impossible to listen to one without finding an individual with one or ordering one and relying on the 30-day return policy. (That is of course one option -- order a 1050 and compare it to a 5200 directly.)

Candidly -- some people here have preferred the Marantz sound to the Outlaw sound. Here are a few threads from this forum that you might find good reading:
one , two (loomis in this thread had some concerns about the 5200, don't know specifics), three (nreyes went Marantz, we still like him ), and four (OK, I'll stop with the links now...).

As for PLII vs. PL -- After you listen to Dolby Digital some, prologic loses a lot of its charm. ProLogic II does sound a good bit better than old prologic. Is it the magic bullet some people suggest? No, but it does sound pretty nice. If you aren't going to be using a DVD player or any other sort of Dolby Digital source, you may need ProLogic II (although with the 1050 my wife seemed very happy with the "Natural" DSP mode for primetime TV). For DVD use, the 1050 is extremely hard to beat -- the 6.1 Surround is, at least to my ear, the equal of true Dolby Digital EX.

Oh, and while I feel almost certain that Outlaw is working on some sort of replacement for the 1050, I don't expect it any time soon. There has been no official announcement, and the last comment they made was that the 1050 was still selling extremely well and they weren't quite ready to replace it.

I hope that all helps, Mayor D.

its an addams -- welcome to the forum. Congrats on getting your 1050 -- it's a great piece of equipment. But try to go easy on the shoppers here, we've generally tried to offer honest advice in this forum for people looking into Outlaw. I try to be open about the fact that I'm likely to lean toward the Outlaw gear, since that's what I chose, but aside from that I and the other regulars try to be helpful of anybody looking for assistance here. Even if they end up buying something else.

------------------
gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

I'll also point out that if you do decide against the Outlaw, as some have, that doesn't mean you don't need to discuss it here. There have been entire threads only tangentally related to Outlaw equipment (DIY threads, anyone?) and some which had no relation at all. The Outlaws have been very liberal in what they tolerate on this BB, and I've never seen a post removed for any reason not relating to profanity or libel. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen a post removed for that reason, either, but those are the only two no-nos here.

Personally, I've heard the 1050, and like it very much, but I've never heard any Marantz equipment so I can't really compare for you. One thing I can say, is that I watch a lot of TV and VHS, and the DPL-II in the 950 has been a major imporvement for that.

As Gonk said, the Outlaws will probably eventually have a receiver with DPL-II, but we don't have any idea when and no indication that it will be any time soon.

Good luck with your purchase. You probably can't really go wrong either way.

------------------
Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Gonk --
It seems that I owe Mayor D and others who wrestle with purchase decisions an apology. Perhaps I took his or her questions the wrong way. As you have pointed out, Outlaw is a direct sales operation, which offers certain limitations.
In the future, I'll restrict my comments to questions about the equipment. Thanks for the correction.

No sweat, its an addams. And again, welcome to the forum!

------------------
gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

You must have a DSL line, "You have reached the end of the internet, - Please go back"
I've recently listned to 3 Marantz receivers, the SR4200/5200 and I believe it was the SR8200? at a local hi-end shop. Never having owned a 1050, I can't compare the sound apples to apples, (and looks like you know the feature list) But the Marantz did not impress me 'sound wise' enough to bring it home, and at the time I was dying to purchase. It's all so subjective. Maybe 1050 owners who have had both badges in their systems will post.

I'm afraid I'm of limited help, because for some reason I have become determined to "hear it for myself" with Outlaw. But I do think if the Marantz had been magic to my ears I would have had it in my system now.

When I started looking for a HT receiver just before Christmas I was looking at the Marantz line. I went to the local hi-fi shop and auditioned them all. I then got in touch with someone in my area who had an Outlaw Model 1050. After comparing, the Outlaw got my money. I found that for the money and performance the Outlaw ran circles around the Marantz 5000/5200. The Marantz 7000 was $400 more that the Model 1050. I thought the Model 1050 also sounded better, especially for music. Later.

Kevin

Mayor D - I have listened to both the Marantz 5200 and the Outlaw 1050 here at home. I'm in the process of converting from stereo to surround, so my judgements here are based solely on music, using two front speakers and a subwoofer.

My impressions... the Marantz has a more precise "squeaky-clean" sound but the reproduction was a bit too restrained for my taste. The Outlaw sounds more robust overall and exhibits a much "hotter" high frequency response on my speakers... maybe a bit too much.

I've had the Outlaw here at home for about 10 days now... I still haven't decided for sure if it's a keeper.

Well, I did it! After months of research and way too many sleepness nights trying to decide the safest and best way to go, I just ordered the Outlaw 1050. Thanks to all of you for your input and advice. "its an addams", I'm glad you calmed down to understand my position. It's this forum that helped me make my decision. Now, my input: To me, the only drawback to the 1050 is the lack of Prologic II. I view and record VHS, so I'm a little apprehensive there, but I think the overall sound quality of the 1050 will compensate. It will be a vast improvement over my current '70s stereo set up (which has a Marantz receiver, by the way). Of the 1050 and Prologic I, one critic said, "...finally, a receiver that knows how to handle Prologic". Also, EVERY review I've read NEVER had a negative word about the overall sound and operation of the 1050. A big factor in my decision is the fact that the 1050's design focuses on the "guts", and less on bells and whistles, to provide the best sound for the dollar. And service? - Scott was extremely patient and informative, answering all my emails and phone calls - that says a ton about the philosophy and service of the company! Also, the simplicity in set up and use matters (including the remote). My wife is all for that (and so am I). The Marantz SR5200 is a good unit with all the latest features. The Marantz sound is good, though sometimes conservative and flat (from what I read, the Outlaw has more spunk - I like that). It appears that set up and use of the SR5200 is a bit more complex and cumbersome (no one seems to like the remote). So, I decided to forego Prologic II in favor of what I think will be the best bottom line overall sound. And, from what I understand, when I get into DVD, PLII becomes a mute point. Besides, sometimes a person has to be an Outlaw...get away from the traditional norm, and try something different. If everyone played it safe, it would be a dull place. So, thanks to all of you for your advice and input. I'm proud to be part of an elite group. I'll let you know how everything turns out in a couple weeks. Mayor D.