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).]