I had a $20,000 budget for my system. I listened to a couple "flagship" recievers one being the Denon, and couple of processors listing for $5000+. I kept thinking back to the reviews on the 950 and 770 and how you could send them back minus shipping if not satisfied. I ordered the 950 but I went with the 755 and have no regrets.

Like I have said previously, I could have spent x times more for my system but I would not have x times more satisfaction. Spending exponentially more funds for a proportional sense of gain in your sound seems rather pointless IMHO.

Whatever path you take good luck and enjoy.

Thanks to all of you guys for all the helpful comments. I have to go in ot the office today for a while, but when I return, I think I am going to order the 950/770. I am amazed at how products at this price point can get the reviews they are getting, but am really pleased ot see that real value is still alove in the home theater world. The Outlaws must be pretty confident to have a 30 day no questions asked return policy, and I will take advantage of it and give them a try. Will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again!

Mike

Thanks to all of oyu for your recommendations and help. I have just taken the plunge, and ordered the 950/770 combo. The overnight shipping is a real beast! But, I figured that with a 3 day turnaround for putting the order together I will get it hopefully by next Thursday or Friday. That should give me enough time to get my wiring checked.

One drawback appears ot be the inclusion of only 1 set of analog 5.1 inputs (the Denon has 2), so I will either have to choose between my Sony DVP 9000-ES player or my multiplayer, a Pioneer DV47. I looked for a switch box, but the only one I ofund was over 400.00. For a few dollars more (how appropriate a phrase for this site), I can go buy a new multi-format player. Looks like I may be going ot the Ebay site soon with all this old gear to unload!

Thanks again for the friendly comments and advise.

Mike

Mike -- the Sony 9000ES is a stereo-only machine, right? So why not use stereo bypass on the CD input for it and put the Pioneer on the six channel analog input?

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

Hi, Gonk! Every now and then, the realization that I am over 50 hits me like a meteor. As I was drooling over my new purchases, I had this vision in my mind of the Sony and the Pioneer each requiring a set of 5.1 inputs. Yes, you are right. I used to have both sets of 5.1 inputs taking space on the back of my Denon because I had separate multi-channel SACD and DVD-A players. That is one of the rpimary reasons I moved to the Pioneer DV-47a. It plays both.

Thanks!

Mike

- Always glad to help.

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

Mike, you sound just like me. I went back and forth also. For me the biggest draw back with the 950 was its inability to be user upgradable. Electronic items are quickly outdated and I liked Sunfire's upgradable feature of using a CD. That is my only regret with the 950, that in a few years I may have an $800 antique while my friend's Sunfire pre will still be current. In the meantime, I really love my 950/770 combo. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks, Alejate. Upgradeability is a something I always ocnsider, but I only let it guide my decision once. That was with the Denon 5800 receiver. I canot say it was directly from Denon, but when reading about it the potential ability to upgrade was discussed vis a vis the RS-232 port. Well, the only upgrade from Denon was an 800 dollar job shipping the unit off if you were able to get on the list. Besides, I always get the envie for new gear about every three years. My brother, on the other hand, is still running his Haller preamp and amp we built together some 20 years ago. I, on the other hand, still drive a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis while everyone at my office tools around in a Lexus, Mercedes, etc. Go figure!

I figure that by going into separates again I can always upgrade at a more palatable cost one piece at a time anyway if the urge strikes again.

But thanks for the endorsement of the 950/770. I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. I paid of overnight shipping, so I hope they will be here in tile to debut Pirates of the Carribean this weekend!

Take care.

Mike

Well, the 950 got here. The 770 is lost somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Overnight shipping, too! Have asked the Outlaws and DHL for help on this. Will advise when receive the amp. Thanks for all the help.

Mike

With the Outlaws help, tracked down the 770 and it is here. Switching out the connections from my Denon to the 950 is proving to be a chore! I had the pre-out on the Denon running my Audio Control Bijou 5.1 EQ as well as the ICBM. Not sure how to hook them up now - and too tired to figure it out tonight. God, the 770 is a beast!

Mike