While most people in their 40's can't hear 20 khz tones and many can't hear 16 khz or 14 khz tones, I think most in their 40's can hear differences in speakers and electronics, and that includes the area of harshness. Some frequencies where harshness (or shrillness or fatique) is apparent is in the hearing range of most people in their 40's. Also sometimes fatique manifests itself as an ultra-small "sweet spot", where anything outside of that sweet spot sounds fatiquing.

As a point of reference, the NHT 2.9 suffers from an ultra-small sweet spot, leading to harshness, more than the NHT VT-2 does, in my own personal opinion.

Well, count me among those who could not wait any longer. My old pre/pro had almost completely thrown out it's digital preamp stage and I couldn't stand it any longer. The wife said, "Just whatever you do, buy something else before it goes in to get fixed". Who was I to say no.

Let me just say that after several hours of installation and setup, I am EXTREMELY happy with the Rotel. It is very quiet (no hiss) and has a lot of really nice features. Since I never got a chance to hear a 950 (although a local enthusiast did offer: thanks again Phil) I can only offer my opinion on the 1066 by itself.

My comparison is based on the following equipment for those of you who are interested:

NAD T761 receiver as pre/pro and rear channel amp
ADCOM 5503 200 x 3 amp
NAD 512 CD (love it's DAC's)
Toshiba 2700 DVD changer
Sony T60 Directivo
Energy 5.1e mains, 3.1e rears, EPS12 sup and EC100 center.

There is a huge difference in movies. More detail, better sonic placement, substantial improvement in quantity and quality of bass. Prologic II does a fine job on my DSS's digi out. Stereo performance is very good. A little more laid back on the top end than the NAD, but extremly big soundstage and very listenable.

I won't blather on anymore since this is the Outlaw's site, but my point being that I'm sure the 950 will be a fine piece after it goes through it's QC growing pains and supply shortage problems. Unfortunately, I couldn't continue to wait for it to mature.

I am keenly looking at more amplification though and the Outlaw stuff is high on the list.

The initial Rotel 1066 that I heard had a noise level problem which was noticable DURING playback. They have since fixed that problem. The newest 1066 had almost identical hiss, none from >4 inches from speaker fabric, to the 950, as we demonstrated in the local Rotel dealer's showroom.

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Take Care,
merc

Well, I think I am going to return my 950 to Outlaw. Not that there is anything wrong with it BUT I don't think I can live with my pet peeves about it.. I am off to get a 1066.

I'm Still an Outlaw, I have my 750 Amp. LOL

Instead of me returning my 950 to Outlaw, if anyone here is interested in BUYING my 950 (what a way of getting ahead in the line), feel free to email me jeffw@adelphia.net and I will give you details.

Jeff

I think its very cool of the Outlaws to allow discussions of competitors products to take place in their forums - along with overtly critical posts of their products etc.

In fact this is about the only online forum you ARE allowed to say something overtly negative about the 950 without fear of being kicked out, or getting your posting or thread deleated.

How ironic is it that the only free speach to be had on the net regarding Outlaw Audio is on their own corporate web site, not some of the general HT discussion boards (most notoriously HTF).

Kudos to Outlaw for realizing that free speech IS a good and powerful thing!!!

Yes. HTF certainly could learn from the Outlaw forum. I too give a big Thumbs Up to the Outlaw forum! Kudos to this forum, for allowing the responsible exercise of free speech.


[This message has been edited by Will (edited June 05, 2002).]

Oh my gosh... I'm actually agreeing with Will and HT Crazed on their stated forum speech issue. Thanks Outlaw!!!

Maybe I should post the single posted question, that got me suspended from that other forum, to see what happens here...?

BTW, my 950 is still going strong and operating perfectly. I feel very bad for those folks who are having hiss or other problems. I really wish I could figure out how to solve their problems so that they too could enjoy their 950 as much as I'm enjoying mine.

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Take Care,
merc

Go for it!

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

Merc, I agree with your sentiments totally. Also, like a car wreck, fill our morbid curiosity and ask the question!!!

If anyone has read Mark Knight's review at the HTF it should make you feel pretty secure in the 950 as long as they fix the hiss problem. In his opinion the main difference is upgradeability, not really the sound. With Evan's and Patrick's comparison of the 950 and the Anthem, Mark's and the majority of other 1066 owners comparison, and even Gene's comparison with the MC-12 I would say that if the Outlaws can clean up the hiss then they have really hit a home run.