Thanks cburbs,
I have had my 950 well over a year and it still brings a smile to my face when I sit and listen to it. I run the same speakers as Will (also a great value) and run a mix of Parasound amps, I have yet to find a noticeably better sounding system. I have listened to a lot of high end (usually over priced) HT systems that have excellent sound. In the realistic price range I have yet to find anything that comes close to the sound quality and value of the 950. I have also found plenty of systems that fall far short for a higher price tag. Thank You Outlaw!

Thanks for the reply and happy listening…
Greg

What parasound amps are you running?

My test will be as follows:

Pioneer 811 with Parasound amp.
Outlaw 950 with paraound amp
Pioneer 43/53 with parasound amp


Pioneer 811 w/ sherbourn amp
Pioneer 43/53 w/sherbourn amp
Outlaw 950 with sherbourn amp

Pioneer 811 alone
Pioneer 43/53 alone

Is I want I really want to know is how much a improvement a 200*5 amp will make over my 85*5 amp.....I will find out this weekend.


Well I received the 950 at work just now....will hopefully play with it a little tonight

[This message has been edited by cburbs (edited March 25, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by cburbs (edited March 25, 2004).]

Hi cburbs,
I currently am running the HCA3500 (350 watts RMS x 2, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohms. 120 amperes peak per channel) for the front 2 channels, HCA 2003A (220 watts RMS x 3, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohms. 60 amperes peak, per channel) for the center and rear surrounds. I have 2more QS8’s for the side surrounds that I have not installed due to a remodeling project that I have been putting off. When I get the additional speakers installed they will be powered by the HCA2003 and I will use the HCA1206 in bridged mode (350 watts RMS, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohms, each bridged channel. 30 amperes peak, per channel) to power the rear surrounds. The 2 spare channels on the 1206 will be used for the second zone in the kitchen (135 watts RMS x 6, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohms, all channels driven. 30 amperes peak, per channel). I also plan on adding a pair of massive subs and using the HCA2200 bridged (1000 watts RMS, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 4 ohms. 50 amperes continuous 90 amperes peak) to power them. I have played with all of the above-mentioned amps in a few different locations using many different speaker configurations, most was 2 channel stereo. In short the only noticeable difference (other than volume) was the lack of bass from the HCA1206 in non bridged mode. It is not that it was missing but compared to the other three amps it was not as abundant. As soon as I bridged the HCA1206 it sound very similar to all of the other Parasound amps that I use. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were an issue with the power supply in my HCA1206 that is contributing to the sound difference. I have noticed some 60 cycle hum coming from the speakers after long periods of play, 4+ hours. Since I plan on using it in bridged mode for the home theater surrounds and the other 2 channels only for background music for the kitchen I am not planning on getting it looked at. Of course that may change if it gets worse or it lets the smoke out.

I can’t speak for the HCA855 since I never have seen one but have been told that it is a good sounding amp especially for the money. Even if this amp does not supply massive bottom end you may not notice it in home theater mode because you can send all of the low-end bass to the sub.
I think that you are on the right track planning on testing a few amps and systems. I have been surprised more than once by taking the time to do live head to head testing. If you are not happy with the sound that you get from your current amp selection try looking at the older high-end 2 channel amps. A stack of the OnkyoM-501, M-502, M-503, M-504 or the Denon POA2400’s would make a great amplifier section for the Outlaw 950. The outlaw amps have been rated very highly for sound and build quality. They should represent a great value in a new amp purchase. My original intent was to go all Outlaw but I purchased the Parasound HCA2003a for my office and got hooked on their products.
I am not sure where you live but I am in Rhode Island and if you are close by and want to hear the Outlaw/Parasound/Axiom system I am running please let me know and we will make arrangements to shake the house.
Sorry for the long post, I was on a roll.

Thanks,
Greg

Greg,
Thanks for the info. I am in Wisconsin.....a tad far away from you.
The reason I want to test the Sherbourn is I have heard nothing but great things and If I like it I can add it to my wish list.....
WOW, you have some of the bigger parasound amps....
So how do you like those QS8's?

I have heard nothing but great things about them.

I myself am looking at Rocket/Dali/Axiom speaker wise ..don't want to spend more than $2,000 on a 5.0 system. The SVS stays.

I am going to demo the rockets sometime in April hopefully.
Hopefully Bill will have his Axiom setup soon so I can go listen to that. I did enjoy the Axiom 80's but still want to listen to others.
If I had money growing out of my pocket I would buy the Dali helicon or Euphonia series line...but that won't happen.
Too many things to do............later.

While you are looking at the Sherbourn's, compare their specs to a comparable Outlaw amp. Then, look at the price difference. And, if you have an interest, get an Outlaw for a 30 day test to see how it stands up sonically to your ears. If you don't think it is the same sonically, at a better value, send it back.

Because I can get the sherbourn as a loaner for no cost and I can get it now.
I have the 950 hooked up but have not ran DVE yet. So far so good.



[This message has been edited by cburbs (edited March 26, 2004).]

CBURBS - I have the 950 with two Parasounds. The HCA-2205A and HCA-1500A, both look good in the rack with the 950 and the sound is super, a good match for my Monitor Audio Gold 60 series. I purchased the 1500 used for the rears when I had the Outlaw 750. I liked the 1500 so much that I went loking for it big brother the 2500A. I have owned the Outlaw 750 and it performed as advertised. The Parasounds were just a better match for me. I think you are doing the right thing by trying out all systems you can in your own home.

I am still doing some comparisons between the PIoneer/Parasound and Outlaw/Parasound.
Does it take a while before the Outlaw opens up?
I have mostly done 2 channel comparison and as of right now I don't know if I hear that much of a difference.
I even had everything hooked up so I was running the Pioneer on the Lspeaker and the Outlaw on the Rspeaker. Set them at the same levels and they sounded the same to my ears.
I need to test some movies next....any ideas?

If you are running SACD equipment try Keb Mo Just Like You. This has become one of my favorite MC SACD's. I like the sound a lot and the SACD is very clean so you can look for any coloration in the music.

Have fun and be happy,
Greg

No SACD/DVD-A here.
Didnt' get in any new testing yet. I have been using it mainly music but no A/B testing yet this week.

Also would I be better to test the Pioneer vs the Outlaw by connecting the DVD player thru analog vs. the digital connection?



[This message has been edited by cburbs (edited March 31, 2004).]