Strangely enough, I've been listening with my ears and not my fingers. Well, I guess you learn something new everyday.
Mix

Everybody's perception is different. smile....

Mix:

Agreed sound IS the most important part of a pre/pro. The 950 is good at that. However, the importance of human interface should be a factor as well and should not be overlooked.

Jeff

The human interface is indeed piss poor on the 950, in my opinion. But the sound is very good except for the hiss (which is more noticable than on most other models with the volume low) and some other issues mentioned previously. I also find the AM band unlistenable due to static, but that's maybe not a deal breaker for most people.


[This message has been edited by Will (edited June 01, 2002).]

Since it is rubberized, I would assume it would hold water quite well

Hello Jeff,
Indeed you are correct. Human interface is important. I was playing devil's advocate to see if I could wring some more hard, good information out of you guys.
I'm more concerned about the noise floor issue than anything else at this point. I'm currently using the 1050 as a pre/processor while waiting for my 950. The 1050 is a good unit and only makes me more comfortable with my upcoming purchase of the 950. The 1050's volume knob is also rubberized but is very solid and of the infinite type. No stops in either direction. I'm extremely pleased with the build quality and ergonomics of the 1050. I have no reason to believe that the 950 would be of any lesser quality. I will most definately give a report when the time comes. Until then, y'all enjoy yur 'knob' argument.
Mix

Jeff,

As you said, different strokes for different folks. I respect your opinion on this but I also retain the right to totally disagree with it. I don't find anything at all wrong with the buttons or knob. But, as you know, this is something that everyone can judge for themselves. I just don't want people to get the impression that the buttons or knobs are substandard or shoddy. They are not. However, your standards may be much higher than mine, even though the 950's build quality holds up nicely with other components I've used.

The important thing is how the 950 sounds - and the buttons and knobs have absolutely no effect on the quality of the sound. Rubberized or not, wiggly or not - nothing translates into sonic degradation.

And I will still state that the hiss on my 950 is no more than anything else I've listened to and non-existant in my real world conditions. I still don't consider maximum volume with your ear pressed against the speaker grille "real world listening." I still contend that if you hear hiss at normal volumes at normal listening distances then either (a) some is wrong with your individual 950 or (b) something else in your system is causing the hiss.

I have talked to enough people now who have used 950s (as well as my owm listening tests) to convince me of this.

------------------
RAF

My HT (latest update 04/17/02) Now includes Outlaw 950 and Outlaw 755

[This message has been edited by Robert A Fowkes (edited June 01, 2002).]

The 950 is the cheapest Pre/pro(that I know of) on the market. Some people seem to be getting good sound while others have units with QA issues. No offense to anyone who bought one, but it's a $900 product. If you get the sound you can't really expect looks and quality buttons and controls for that price too. Nothing is for free. You get what you pay for.

So for me the extra $375 difference I paid for the 1066 was well worth it. Better QA, looks, buttons and controls. Many who have tested the 950 and 1066 even feel the 1066's warmer sound was more favorable compared to the 950's brighter sound. The sound part is very subjective though.

You can't expect everything for $900. Outlaw put their money into the sound, so they had to skimp on something.


[This message has been edited by Legairre (edited June 01, 2002).]

I think the concern for some people is that given how many 950's have shipped so far, this suggestion seems to be coming up an awful lot when people report problems. One guy said that he was on his 3rd 950 because there were problems with the first two. Now, he may have been happy with the fact that Outlaw was very quick and very cooperative in remedying his problem, but the fact that they had to is cause for concern IMHO.

For me personally, the wait, the reports of possible compatibility issues with HTPC's, and the fact that people who have compared both claimed that the 950 sounds somewhat bright compared to the 1066 finally convinced me to jump ship and go with the Rotel unit. (which I picked up today and will be hooking up in a little bit when my wife finishes watching a movie).

me too, finally brought the Rotel RSP-1066 today. I have been on the waiting list since Jan, and I was supposed to get an offer email by the end of May, I waited, waited...and I am out of patience. I can move on with my life now.

rich