I know all you guys on the waiting list recieved it too, I don't know about you but i'm glad to recieve a little info anyway.

Craig

It's not 'a little info'.

It's a very long detailed explanation of everything everyone's been bickering about... ok, sans an exact release date, yet that's explained too.

I hate waiting like everybody else, but I think Outlaw deserves a hell of a lotta respect to put up with all the crap they've let people post here while working on this awesome preamp we all want!

Nothing out there is gonna touch this thing near it's price, and they're just making sure it's bug free.
People who're saying "I can't wait anymore! Outlaw lost my business! Liars! I'm getting a B&K, or Anthem, blah..etc..!"

You screwballs are actually going to spend 3-4 times the money for a similar product, AND insult Outlaw on their own forum for taking a couple months longer than they guessed just their product right!?

What's wrong with you people? That's just sad.

There were some set-backs that they couldn't forseen. Happens ALL THE TIME in the ultra fast moving electronics/computer field, the diff. here is that Outlaw TALKS to their customers, whereas other companies may announce either nothing at all, or maybe a 'season release date' like "Coming Winter 2001/2002" for examp.

If Outlaw did either of those, you'd have nothing to complain about, but they let us in on some behind the scenes information and their edjucated guesses.

When they're a little off, you blast them here and elsewhere as if they were liars from some major faceless electronics giant like Sony or Harmon!!

They could've made their 'projected release dates' with a product that worked great and had few tiny bugs, but they'd rather put out something that does nearly everything there is and is bug free.

That's great! How could you ask for more?

You desperate people who can't wait a little longer... don't tell me you don't have rec. or old preamp or something to get by with till the 950 comes out!? Something to use at least!? C'mon, gimme a break. Act like you're dying only when you ARE -though see how many care when that happens.

We've had pics of the case front, back, and killer clean 'guts' for how long now, and continual and detailed updates direct from the Outlaw owners, yet morons keep calling it "vaporware" or say "I'll believe it when I see it!"

Have you no faith (or respect at least) at all in what they've been doing??

I kills me to think that many of these rude jerks are going to be getting this product despite their remarks against it. Spitting on the company that's going to sell them the best preamp deal there is.

Sick irony.

$899 for the 950!

Rotel's new prepro which won't be out till AFTER the Outlaw'll (though no one had any info from Rotel to allow them to pick it apart and complain about it til recently!) probably be the closest competitior and'll cost about 50-80% more. It's just no contest.

Who else...Sherwood Newcastle? Not now at least. Hmmm...nobody really.

You'd have to spend 2-3 times more to get as good a preamp, 'cuz there are none in Outlaw's price range. Only used and outdated models from the well known high end companies.

What's the new Sony preamp got? Uh... who knows!? It's not announced. It's not out. They tell us nothing. I could care less. Sony could care less about trying to give us the best product at a super low price point. They want market share. Money from anyone.

They'll give us ads that tell us they're the best, and they'll proabably get more suckers to believe it than Outlaw will get people to trust that they're really trying to sell us a top notch preamp for as dirt cheap as they can. As anyone can.

Time for the people to who appreciate Outlaw to speak up!

Looks like they will be here soon. I can hardly wait.

I just got to thinking, I sure hope all of those people who decided to buy something else were ahead of me on the waiting list.

[This message has been edited by hydro (edited January 28, 2002).]

Nicely said, azryan...

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Gonk

I concer with azryan. My old pre-amp is working just fine and waiting a few more months did not bother me what so-ever. I work in the software business and have missed almost everyone of our initial promised release dates. However, it is always better to wait a little longer to get things right than to have to do a panic "patch". I am glad that the outlaws our a private company that can make these sensible decisions. If it were Sony, Dennon, B&K, etc. The marketing department would have released the unit prior to engineering blessing it. Thus, pesky little bugs appear.

Outlaws keep up the good work.

Tom Starkweather

I just read my email, azryan, it could not have been said better. Thats really the way most of the true outlaw fans have felt. On visiting the other outlaw forum at home theater something forum. I was really appauled at how low they had taken their freedom of speech to. Psklenar can attest as he represented the regulars voices from here. But man they even closed down the thread it was so bad. It was embarrassing to know that the outlaws must have read all that garbage, and kind of felt regret that they had said anything to begin with. To the point that they dont want to divulge any new information about their new products for fear of backlash. We have loss a little of that relationship the outlaws hoped to have with us as friends more than customers. Certainly I will miss knowing what things are in the future, and maybe after the 950 release the outlaws will reconsider their decision and remember we do love what makes them different from other companies.

I just put a reservation in for this unit. Could someone post the e-mail? I'd love to read it.

Thanks!

Neil

Could you post the email?

the email will be in the lastest news link shortly i believe.



[This message has been edited by ltkhuc (edited January 26, 2002).]

Thank you, ltkhuc.

Neil

JeffreyMercado

You make a good point about how unfortunate it is that the Outlaws have been effectively forced to fall silent about future developments. I've been eagerly listening to scraps and tidbits about the developing of the Outlaw DVD player since sometime last spring or summer, and was looking forward to spending 2002 watching DVD's on my old A310 while getting hints about the final capabilities and delivery of such a unit. As several of us were saying earlier today, there's not really a single "killer" DVD player on the market right now (although some have some murderous prices), so I was content to stick with my existing player or pick up an inexpensive replacement if it failed (the A310's have a bad reputation in some circles) and wait to see what came of the Outlaw DVD. I'm still planning to, but it won't be as much fun waiting in silence. Nevertheless, I don't blame them for their decision -- their attempt to be nice to the consumers earned them a lot of grief, and I suspected that they would start getting more quiet about new developments (the IR-1000 is a good indication of this -- compare it's arrival to the ICBM's, which was announced with a contest in the forum well before it was in any shape to ship). It was good of them to at least tell us they were about to rein in their news, so now when the same people who kicked them for missing deadlines claim that they've got no new products in development, we can all just glare at them and move on...

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Gonk

Well said azryan.The latest newsletter from the Outlaws is a long one but a very good one and the best they have put out in my opinion. They gave a good update on the 950 and really just laid it all out on how they feel about everything and their overall philosophy as a company that puts out quality products at a reasonable price. I think they really care about their customers and are trying to keep up with an ever changing technolgy that involves HT. This is no easy task and the Outlaws are a breath of fresh air with their approach to everything compared to the big HT companies. The 950 is almost here and it should be well worth the wait. Just my thoughts.

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Oh ye of little faith! I commend the Outlaws on providing their USUAL top-notch updates, it amazes me some folks forgot that even the Outlaws can't work 24/7 on the 950 project (and the 770, and the IR1000, and the cables, etc, etc). Their dedication to producing a quality product and insuring that its debugged BEFORE shipping out is admirable, not every company would rework a component AND add features so late in its development stage without raising the price. I would definitely prefer getting a 950 fully tested and certified a little later than having to fool with bug fixes after the sale just so it arrives a week or so sooner.

My opinion of the easiest way to discern that you're dealing with a reputable company whose products are worthy of spending your hard earned dollars on is by asking some basic questions:

1. Do they keep you informed? Yep! (anyone tried to get info from Onkyo or Sony on products in development?)
2. Will they listen to customer's input to tailor products to needs? Yep! (they read your posts, don't they?)
3. Are the products of high quality? Yep!
4. Is the technology cutting-edge AND reliable AND usable? Yep!
5. Are the products fairly priced? Yep!
6. Great customer service? Yep!
7. Most importantly - do the Outlaws have a sense of humor? Double yep! Reading the Outlaw news is pleasurable, the straight-forward manner in which it is written gives me confidence that I'm dealing with actual human beings who know their real jobs. I get the feeling that I'm reading the truth about the 950's progress (good, bad or otherwise) and that no one is blowing smoke up my @*# just to make me feel better. Imagine what the news would read like if it was written by a corporate ad agency like the "big-boys" use.

Those who jumped ship will just have less money to spend on other components while those who hang in there should receive a first-class component priced right and reliable. Those other expensive retail products are OK but do they have a GREEN BUTTON? I think not. Thus endeth the rant.

Agree totally with azryan and Audioholic. Stuff happens ... get over it. I was very impressed with what I saw and heard at CES, and IMO Scott et al are straight shooters. I don't know about all the armchair quarterbacks, but my house has plenty of glass walls in it, so I'm not about to throw stones.

I'm reminded of a quote attributed to a Poul Anderson - "I've yet to see any problem, however complicated, which when looked at in another way, does not become still more complicated"

Tim Baldwin
Patiently awaiting a 950

Thanks for posting email, sorry you had to pull it off due to length.

I don't think the outlaws took any real criticism for publishing plans about the 950. All the criticism was simply fans who ran out of patience. If the product sucks, well then, expect criticism to be deafening. But as long as the 950 is high quality there won't be another "Daikatana". I'm looking forward to ordering a 950, tho I must admit there is no way I'll order something before I even know its specs.

Yah. Wooho! Information. Cool. Call me an optimist, but I prefer to interpret it as good news. The 950 is almost here! Very glad to hear it. Can't wait to HEAR it.

brsett: Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm near the beginning of the reservation list, which means I'll probably get the call before the unit is shipping. But I was hoping to see finalized specs before giving over my credit card number. Don't know if it's going to turn out that way though.

I, too, am glad to hear from the Outlaws. I think we will all be getting a VERY good deal. Plus a delay of a little while longer gives me a chance to do more work on the media room I'm building. Besides, I am a firm believer in getting it right the first time! Stick to your guns Outlaws.

I FINALLY got round to reading my email... great newsletter! Thanks for the update Outlaw! Too bad that we won't be getting as much info about future products. Maybe they'll circulate some news to a few of us staunch supporters if we promise not to leak anything... Anyway, I understand their position and I'm looking at it like this, it'll be like getting little presents all year long as we find out bit by bit what the new offerings are! Keep up the good work and stick to your no product before its ready attitude, Outlaws!

OUTSTANDING!!!Great editorial and Newsletter Outlaw,and azryan your post was equally oustanding.Hope those folks that jumped ship enjoy those high dollar units as much as I plan on enjoying the extra $2000.00 in the bank.Now if we could just get a peak at that manual and remote?(hint,hint)
Chomp'n at the bit , Brian
I placed my reservation today Outlaws , my H/K doesn't have the cool logo and green button!!

[This message has been edited by Brian (edited January 28, 2002).]

I'm not on the reserve list for the 950, not because I don't want it, but even at the great price it is, it'll take a little more time to get the cash for it. So I didn't see the e-mail and after reading the newsletter, I didn't get the direct impression that the Outlaws were not going to be as forthcoming with new product information, but I may have glanced over the part which said that. I hope it wasn’t spoiled for the people who don’t complain.

My comments agree with most of the people above. I'd prefer to wait and get a 100% product. I'd also prefer other people to be patient, instead of taking advantage of the communication bridge that Outlaw offered its customers. I'm always glad to see someone who truly enjoys their equipment AND their place here on this forum speak up, as it is never hastily spoken.

The last thing I noticed on the newsletter is that the video/coax cables are to be out soon and the new 1.2m length PCA's will be available too. Maybe not as big of a deal for most people as the 950, but thanks Outlaw, for listening to the forum and thanks for providing solutions to our dream systems.

S.

I also plan to pick up some of the new silver cables. Not right away, but when I do finally purchase my DVD player I'll need six of them to use the 950's component switching. I'll also probably pick up a few to replace the audio cables I'm currently using for composite interconnects. Now, if Outlaw came out with an S-Video cable, there wouldn't be any non-Outlaw interconnects in my system.

It is nice, though, that they produced this calbe in response to user comments. It shows they are listening to us.

As far as the delayed 950 issue goes, I, like most here, are fustrated by the delays, but I also know that those fustrations pale in comparison to any fustrations I'd have with a flawed $900 product. Even though I may sound impatient, I'm still glad that they're going to hold off as long as they need to in order to release a 100% good product.

It's a damn shame that the criticism they've taken is going to cause the flow of information from them to slow somewhat. In a way, I can't blame them, but on the other hand, I think that most (not all, but most) of the criticism I've seen on the forums is either constructive, or general kvetching that can't really be taken seriously. I haven't seen much go by that is actually mean-spirited or intended to hurt the Outlaws.

Did they lose some customers by delaying the 950? Yeah, we know of a few, and that's a shame. They would have left, I think, even if the Outlaws hadn't released any information, though. Some people just can't wait, and that's not their fault, nor the Outlaws'. At the same time, I think they also gained some customers by being straightforward and perfectionist.

In short, it seems you need to have a thick skin to deal with the kind of people in this market segment, and it seems the Outlaws luckily have that. But, they feel burned and I'm also sorry for that. Perhaps we need to tone things down a bit and try to keep from hurting people's feelings. I hope that nothing I've said has been taken as an impeachment of the Outlaws or their business plan, because I still believe in both and am pleased with the job they're doing.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

I agree with all of you! My 'gripe' dealt with the lack of communication! That gripe has now been dealt with in a well written email! This satisfies me for a while longer, although my system is on hold for the 950 release! I just want to be 'kept in the loop!