What type - brand of equipment did you current 950 owners upgrade from ?
Just wondering what other worthy contenders and options might be considered in this price range.
Care to give us some comparisons between your old processor - amplification and the 950.
Does the 950 actually sound dramatically better ? Why ? ( Surroud performance ? - Sound quality ? - Both ? )
Are the 950's package of audio and movie surround modes worth upgrading to ? Why ?
Does the 950 outperform the competion because of these differences ?
I was also looking to see if any one has upgraded from a Marantz receiver or AV-9000.
You can currently buy a Marantz AV9000 (dated) or a 7200 - 8200 receiver for less/close
in price to that of the 950 with similar audio and movie surround mode capabilities and use it as a pre-pro.
I would certainly welcome other brand name comparisons.
I have yet to see that many 6.1 DD or 6.1 DTS DVD titles available just yet.
So other than primarily upgrading for enhanced audio performance for movies and music
I can probably still wait a bit longer to take the EX - ES plunge.
Still fairly happy with my current set up.


Steve

http://www.geocities.com/steve3_39/my_ht.html

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My train wreck
My modest HT . .

Outlaw Model 1050 to Model 950, myself. Aside from the additional features, which I have been very pleased with, it did also sound noticeably better.

I'll be curious to see how many people are upgrading from a receiver or receiver-as-pre/pro as compared to people upgrading from another pre/pro...

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

I upgraded in a quick sucession from a Sherwood Newcastle AVP-9080r to a Denon 3801(as a preamp) to a Denon 3802(as a preamp) to another AVP-9080r to a B&K Ref 30 to the Outlaw 950. Along the way I also had a Lex DC-2 and a MC-1 but both of them were borrowed and only in my rack for less than a week each time.

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Take Care,
merc

First an Adcom GTP600, then to a Marantz AV600/DP870 Combo. Loved the Marantz, but was clunky with the 870 for DD sources. The Adcom is mediocre at best, as are most of their Pre/pros. Then went to a Parasound P/SP1500-P/DD1500 combo. This unit sounded very good, especially on stereo sources. No DTS, or fancy surround modes, but I hate those anyway. It was limited, only 4 digital inputs, and still a little clunky with 2 units, although one remote worked both. Very high-quality unit, however.
The Outlaw, to me is much easier to use. The sound, is actually better than the Parasound. Even in analog bypass mode (I dont know why). I have a very good Adcom GCD600 CD player, with outstanding DAC's, and it sounds better thru the analog outs than either the Parasound or the Outlaw. Just shows that proper implementation of "old" 16 bit DAC's with 4X oversampling can still sound awesome. The Outlaw sounds better on DD, or digital-in stereo than any of my previous units. It is also very quiet. I obviously do not have the "hiss" bug. I am still using my Adcom GFA555II power amp for the mains, it is 10 yrs old, and still going strong. No real need to upgrade at this point.
Overall, very happy with the 950.

Upgrading from a Rotel 960 AX prologic only pre/pro. Obviously the sound for movies is a major upgrade (no DD or DTS previously), where for 2 channel music I still prefer the warmer and smoother Rotel sound.

Overall a significant upgrade (especially if I stick with movies and concert DVD's as opposed to CD's or SACD's). Though I am bummed about the display going out on the 950 in less than 30 days..

From newest to oldest ...

• Outlaw Audio 950 Pre/Pro plus 750 Amplifier (May 2002)
• Outlaw Audio 1050 Receiver/750 Amplifier combination (spring 2001)
• Outlaw Audio 1050 6 Channel Receiver by itself (May 2000)
• Kenwood KVR-990D 5 Channel Receiver (early/mid 1990's)
• Vector Research Stereo Receiver (early 1980's)
• Laffayette Stereo Receiver (mid 1970's - junior high school maybe?)

My first foray into "home theater" was in the early 1980's when I hooked my TV & VCR up to my Vector Research receiver. Then in 1986 I bought my Pioneer CLD3080 Laserdisc player and hooked that up to the Vector Research ... It's been an ongoing series of improvements and upgrades ever since.

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pat----

email: pat@sklenar.info ---===--- home page: Grumpy's Lair

[This message has been edited by psklenar (edited June 11, 2002).]

I made a quantum jump when going to the 950. I replaced, with a single unit, an Audio Research SP-5 stereo preamp, Luxman F-116 Dolby Pro Logic processor (same unit as the Lexicon CP-2) and a Yamaha T-80 tuner. I just sold all three on eBay! (The SP-5 is on its way to China, believe it or not!)

I got the SP-5 used in 1977, the tuner new in 1985 and the DPL processor new in 1991. I was always a music listener (since before college days (AR Turntable, AR 4x speakers, Dynaco PAT-4 preamp and Dynaco FM-5 tuner)) and added surround sound via Dolby Pro Logic in 1991. I've been watching the formats evolve for over 10 years, and finally decided that it was time.

The price/performance ratio is what drew me to Outlaw; with a wife, two kids, one income and college still to go, I am simply not in a situation that allows me to spend $4000 for a pre/pro. Much as I would have liked to get a B&K Reference 30 (my first choice for over two years), once I heard and read about the 950, I had a hard time mentally justifying the extra $1800.

Rest of the system is all-NAD amps (2400THX for front L/R and two 906 multichannel amps in bridged mode for all surround, center and Zone 2 operation), and Allison speakers.

The next to go will be the Allisons; I have my eyes (and ears) on Dynaudio Audience as the possible contenders.