I'm curious if the 950 is getting a little long in the tooth at this point in time or is it still a good unit? I am only interested in a 5.1 set up at this point. I know some of the responses will be biased but I'd like some honest opinions. I don't expect it to be perfect for $800 but what are some of the downsides of the unit compared with a unit that was realesed this year.

Thanks,
Joe

Good sound quality is good sound quality no matter how old or new a piece of gear is.

If you're OK with 5.1, then the Outlaw is still current. And the 950 *still* has the quite good CES modes for 6.1 and 7.1.

There are no downsides to the 950 unless you need/want digital video switching.

The 950 offers good sound quality, a good number of inputs and outputs, a healthy array of processing modes (perhaps only lacking Pro Logic IIx, which is useless anyway for anyone planning on using a 5.1 system, but as Kevin points out it also offers CES as well as Dolby EX and DTS ES for folks interested in 6.1), and a very good price. I think it's still a good unit, and still well worth considering if you are in the market for a surround sound processor.

I have owned the 950 for two years now and using that experience as a guide I would purchase again today with no hesitation.

Just noticed the new price of a 950 is $699.00. At that price it's a steal.

Woah.. . Good point, Paratrooper. That's an impressive drop.

And the B Stock is $50 cheaper at $649.00.

I've had my 950 since January '03, along with the 770. If I were in the market for another prepro now, I would buy it again in a heartbeat. From a sound standpoint, it will do virtually anything you would want for the 5.1 set-up you discribe.

$700 bones is a tough deal to beat. I'd just like to get a few years out of it. 7.1, given my room constraints, will probably never happen. I was considering something used at the $1000 price point but then you get a piece of equipment that's 4 years old BUT retailed for three to four times the cost.
One thing I do like about the higher end used processors is some of them have a mic to set up the speakers automatically. Is this something that can be done with the Outlaw? If not, how important is it anyway?